Nakuru County yesterday reported 41 new positive cases of Covid-19, accounting for five percent of the day’s caseload.
County Executive Committee Member for Health Dr Zachary Kariuki Gichuki said Nakuru East Sub-County had the highest cases at 16, followed by Naivasha and Gilgil Sub Counties with five cases each.
Nakuru West and Nakuru North Sub Counties reported four cases each, while Njoro, Molo and Subukia Sub Counties registered three, two and one positive Covid-19 cases respectively.
Although no deaths were reported in the county within the period, Dr Gichuki observed that the positivity rate had risen to 9.4 percent up from four percent in just one week.
Dr Gichuki, in a statement sent to media houses, said the trend was worrying adding that since the pandemic broke out in the country in March last year, 5,103 cases and 105 deaths have been recorded in Nakuru County.
He added that currently, a total of 18 patients are admitted in various health facilities including 12 who are on oxygen support systems.
Dr Gichuki said that seven are admitted at the Nakuru Level 5 Teaching and Referral Hospital, three at Naivasha Hospital, while Nakuru War Memorial, Nakuru Nursing Home and Bondeni Maternity have two admissions each.
Valley Hospital and Nakuru Specialist are treating one patient each.
While citing the emergence of a potent variant of Covid-19 strains in some African countries, Dr Gichuki urged the public to continue observing the set containment measures regardless of the availability of the vaccine.
He dispelled fears over the safety of the Covid-19 vaccines and instead urged Kenyans to embrace the jab.
The County Government of Nakuru has rolled out its Covid-19 vaccination campaign targeting high-risk groups with over 30,000 doses of Oxford/AstraZeneca.
A total of 11,000 healthcare workers, members of the County Health Management Teams, drivers, cleaners and other hospital employees will be vaccinated.
Others lined up to receive the jab in the first phase include elderly people above 65 years, and people living with underlying conditions and disabilities.
County Executive Committee Member for Health Dr Zachary Kariuki Gichuki said 3,000 doses will be supplied to the Lanet Regional Military Hospital.
“Am assuring Kenyans that a single shot of the vaccine is highly protective as it reduces the chances of someone getting ill and needing hospital treatment by more than 80 per cent, the exercise will be rolled out in other hospitals across the County in the course of the week.
Unlike other jabs that have to be kept at an extremely cold temperature (-70C) – the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine can be stored in an ordinary refrigerator,” observed Dr Gichuki.
by Jane Ngugi
