People seeking services at JM Kariuki Memorial and other hospitals across Nyandarua County will first be screened for Coronavirus, as visitation of patients in the wards is restricted to avert the contraction and spread of the disease.
The County Emergency Response Technical Committee has affirmed that the hospital’s isolation wards were well prepared to screen, diagnose and quarantine cases of COVID-19.
Head of Nyandarua Coronavirus Emergency Response Technical Team, Samuel Mwaura, said that the medics at the hospitals were on the lookout for any symptoms by checking the temperatures of all visitors and isolating any fever case before they are cleared of COVID-19.
Mwaura, while appreciating the need to minimize the number of visitors and idlers at the facilities noted, “The virus possesses similar symptoms as those of other respiratory diseases that were common in this area. We are therefore not taking chances and will be screening all patients and visitors to rid of any suspicion.”
County Executive Committee Member for Health Dr. John Mungai urged the public to be alert and not to panic while adhering to directives by the health workers.
“This is not a time to argue and ask a lot of questions. Just keep to the health workers advice: wash hands with soap and running water, keep a distance of one meter around each other and sanitize hands while accessing churches and public transport facilities.
Mungai, while urging the public to contact the emergency centre through phone number 0793379039 said the County had set aside three ambulances to help ferry the patients to the hospital for isolation and screening.
He added that a total of 22 beds had been secluded at North Kinangop Catholic, Engineer and JM Kariuki hospitals to handle any emerging cases.
He reminded the public to call the hospitals in case of suspicion and wait at home for the ambulances to ferry them to designated facilities within their reach.
Nyandarua Central Deputy County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi, cautioned the public against gatherings including going to night clubs as doing so would be gabling with their health as the virus was contagious.
The officers were addressing the media Friday shortly after ascertaining the preparedness of JM Kariuki Memorial Hospital in handling any COVID-19 cases that may arise.
By Anne Sabuni
