The government on Saturday fumigated and disinfected markets and other high risk public spaces as part of the interventions to counter the spread of Covid-19.
Nairobi County and Health ministry officials began fumigating Gikomba, Muthurwa and Burma open-air markets to curb the deadly coronavirus spread.
Nairobi’s County Executive Committee Member for Health Hitan Majevda who led the exercise in the markets said the fumigation was aimed at reducing the intensity of potential untested infections.
The health experts also randomly checked wananchi for temperatures at the Central Railway Station bus terminus and also the Tea room stage within the CBD.
Government spokespersons Rt. Col (rtd) Cyrus Oguna said that random screening and training of health workers was also ongoing across the country.
In a press release Saturday on the current status of corona virus in the country, Col. Oguna said that the government was still urging the public to adhere to the advisories that have been issued to contain possible spread of the diseases.
“These advisories include hand washing, maintaining high standards of hygiene in our local environments, maintaining social distance of at least 1 square metre and self-quarantine which are the most effective measures of limiting the spread of the COVID-19,” he said.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has partnered with WhatsApp and Facebook to launch a WHO Health Alert messaging service.
This service will provide the latest news and information on COVID-19, including details on symptoms and how people could protect themselves.
The Health Alert service is now available in English and would be introduced in other languages next week and for one to access it, they only need to send the word “hi” to WhatsApp number +41 798 931 892.
According to the WHO, the first vaccine trial has begun just 60 days after the genetic sequence of the virus was shared by China and this is an incredible achievement.
In order to ensure clear evidence of which treatments were most effective, WHO and its partners are organizing a large international study, called the Solidarity Trial, in many countries to compare different treatments.
WHO and Global Citizen have also launched #TogetherAtHome, a virtual, no-contact concert series to promote physical distancing and action for global health.
In the last 24 hours, WHO figures that globally 234, 073 cases have been confirmed with 24, 247 new cases and 9, 840 deaths have occurred. In the African Region, there has been 473 deaths with 106 new cases and only eight deaths. Kenya has only seven confirmed cases with no deaths.
By Wangari Ndirangu
