An inmate at Manyani Maximum Security Prison in Taita-Taveta County has tested positive for Covid-19 triggering concerns of a possible mass spread of the pandemic amongst other inmates at the second largest penal institution in Coast region.
The patient was transferred to Rekeke health facility in Taveta sub-county on Saturday night where he is currently undergoing treatment.
Another inmate who was sharing a cubicle with the one who tested positive was isolated in the prison.
The County Executive Committee Member for Health, John Mwangeka said members of the county rapid response team have already started contact tracing for anyone who might have come into contact with the infected inmate.
The team is also working with officers at the facility to get more information about the patient and his history.
“We are working on getting more information. The patient was sharing a cubicle with another inmate who has already been isolated. We will give a full report once we get all the information,” he said.
The covid-19 positive inmate was a recent transferee from Shimo La Tewa Prison.
The county has already tested 2,169 samples with 22 covid-19 positive cases, most being truck drivers. Already, 15 patients have recovered and have been discharged.
Last week, the county announced the start of mass testing for covid-19 cases as efforts to deal with the pandemic escalate.
The targeted groups include traders and workers along the highway who interact with truck drivers.
This happens even as the county embark on distribution of facemasks to the residents in all the twenty wards.
By Wagema Mwangi
