At least a 51 bed capacity Isolation facility has been established in Migori County in efforts to handle the dreaded Covid-19 as President Uhuru Kenyatta in a state address announced drastic measures to contain the highly contagious virus after another patient tested positive.
The facility in Nyatike Sub County has seen well trained health personnel deployed to it with all the required protective health gears to deal with identified patients, according to local health officials.
At a press conference held jointly by both the National and County governments’ authorities over the weekend, it also emerged that some 30 health facilities across the county had been prepared for screening purposes of all patients passing through them.
County Disease surveillance officer Peter Okello announced during the presser that almost all the health personnel in the region had undergone training on the best practices to deal with the virus and will be assigned to sensitize the masses on how to individually take precautionary measures.
“We have also trained a number of national administrators, that is chiefs and their assistants who will play a major role in spreading the information about the highly contagious virus to the people deep in the villages,” explained Okello.
County Secretary Christopher Rusana announced the setting aside of Sh40 million by the county government to fight the spread of the disease in the region.
Kenya confirmed first case of the disease on Friday sending her population to panic.
Mr. Rusana said the money will be used purchase health equipment and training of health staff and masses on the disease that has now been declared a global pandemic.
He said a number of holding points have also been prepared at the common borders within the county to facilitate intensive tests on the disease.
County Commissioner Joseph Rotich said the County surveillance for the disease had been enhanced at the common borders with Tanzania and Uganda.
He said Migori, being one of the 14 counties identified as high risk spots, has put all its efforts by thoroughly manning all its designated entry points to screen on all human traffic coming into the country with a view to curbing the importation of the disease into the country.
“We have secured all the entry points at Isebania, Kopanga, Muhuru, Nyamtiro as well as upping patrols on Lake Victoria to check on the health status of all the visitors intending to cross into the country,” said Rotich.
He asked residents not remain calm assuring that both the national and county governments were collaborating well to ensure readiness in case the virus is reported in the region.
Rotich clarified that the government had not banned congregations in Churches and Mosques but had restricted public gatherings like crusades, weddings, and schools’ co-curriculums such as sporting activities.
“ But even those congregating in Churches and Mosques must exercise good sanitation by avoiding shaking hands and washing their hands thoroughly using soaps and alcohol based sanitizers before entering the facilities,” he added.
By George Agimba
