North Eastern Regional Commissioner Nicodemus Ndalana has urged area residents to take the Covid-19 vaccine in the renewed fight against the third wave of the pandemic.
Speaking at his office in Garissa, Ndalana said taking the vaccine and following the government guidelines on Covid-19 ‘was the surest way of beating the virus’.
“I want to ask all residents in this region, especially those above 58 to come out and take the vaccine. There is nothing to fear because I have already taken mine. This is the way to overcome this deadly virus,” Ndalana said.
Ndalana asked the mosques and churches to ensure they provide water points, conduct temperature checks and ensure members of their congregations correctly wear their facemasks.
The Regional Commissioner further cautioned local hotels allowing events especially wedding without following the government procedures that they will be shut down and have their licenses withdrawn.
“We will not wait for our people to die. Those who are holding meetings are required to strictly adhere to the ministry of health guidelines. We are also asking the religious leaders even as we approach Ramadhan and Easter holidays, to make sure that their celebrations are limited to 60 per cent capacity,” he added.
According to the county health CEC Roble Nunow, Garissa has recorded 860 cumulative cases of Covid-19 with 746 recoveries and 29 deaths.
The county received 6,000 doses of AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid-19 vaccine and so far, 456 people have been vaccinated (348 males and 108 females).
Nunow said that at the Garissa Referral Hospital 22 patients are being observed while five critical ones are on oxygen support.
Nunow further urged the citizens to visit health centres whenever they experience Covid-19 related symptoms for testing and early treatment.
By Erick Kyalo and Jacob Songok
