Kitui County has set up 300 beds to respond to Covid-19 emergencies expected during the second wave, Dr Allan Owino, County Director of Medical Services has said.
Speaking on Thursday during a site visit by the County Development Implementation Coordination Committee, Dr Owino decried that in the month of November alone, the county has recorded over 100 Covid-19 cases adding that the caseload is expected to rise.
In a bid to step up the county’s preparedness, the County Director of Medical Services said that Kitui County Referral Hospital has set up four ventilators in the Intensive Care Unit to manage patients with breathing difficulties.
“Similarly, the Kauwi Isolation Centre is well equipped with four oxygen ventilators to support critical Covid-19 cases. So far, we have two patients on oxygen at the facility. Our surveillance team is working round the clock to ensure the coronavirus is contained,’ said Dr Owino.
The Director of Medical Services lamented that when Covid-19 patients are referred to the facility they feel that it is not up to standards and thus end up missing essential services, even losing their patients.
On his part Kitui County Commissioner John Ondego said that contrary to reports, the hospital has enough oxygen to cater for any emergency emanating from Covid-19.
Commenting on shared medical equipment supplies, Ondego said that the equipment has helped manage critical patients who would have been referred to Nairobi for specialized treatment.
Ondego said that all government offices will be fumigated on a rolling basis adding that the novel coronavirus is here with us in the community.
Ondego noted that those receiving home-based care will have their homes assessed by the Ministry of Health personnel to determine whether they fit the protocol for treatment at home.
‘These numbers show clearly that if mass testing was to be carried out, majority of the people will be positive especially those flouting the Ministry of Health protocols of social distancing, wearing a mask and proper handwashing,’ disclosed the administrator.
He called on government officials to minimize close contact with people as they offer services to wananchi and asked for a rooster for people to work in shifts according to government directives.
‘I am issuing an alert that the County Covid-19 Response Team will be carrying out surveillance in the County to curb the spread of the virus. People should make sure that social distance protocol is adhered to at all times,’ he said.
Ondego warned those working in crowded places such as markets and matatus termini to adhere to the health protocols to avoid closure of their businesses which may impact negatively on their livelihoods.
‘I implore our people to be careful. This disease is not a hoax, it is real and here with us. We should take all the necessary precautions to avoid its spread and protect the vulnerable members of society,’ said the County Commissioner.
By Yobesh Onwong’a
