The department of health has conducted targeted testing of novel Covid-19 for Mbale Prisons community after one inmate tested positive for the virus on Wednesday.
Health professionals at Vihiga Teaching and Referral Hospital (VTRHC) led by Vihiga County Disease Surveillance officer Benard Makatiani carried out the
exercise on Friday in a move aimed at ensuring the prison facility was secure from the contagious virus that continues to claim lives across the globe.
Test samples were taken from a total of 43 prison officers and 20 inmates. “We are waiting for results of swabs for the 63 individuals that were taken to Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) in Kisumu,” Makatiani told KNA Saturday.
The health official disclosed the victim who turned positive for the coronavirus was recuperating at the county referral hospital facility.
“I want to confirm to members of public that the Covid-19 patient is in stable condition,” revealed Makatiani, adding four inmates who were in close contact with the victim had been quarantined and under close
monitoring at the prison facility.
“We have already dispatched a medical team to Luanda Police Station where it will conduct target testing on Saturday.
Luanda Police Station was the place where the positive case and the four quarantined inmates were first held before being transferred to Mbale Prison cells.
According to the medic, the department will beef up sensitization activities across the county.
“Meanwhile, we urge our people to continue observing strictly important health guidelines as issued by the ministry of health, including social distancing, wearing face masks, washing hands using soap
detergents an running water as well as covering mouth using elbows when coughing,” appealed Makatiani.
Besides the targeted testing, the health officers fumigated the entire prison facility.
Speaking separately to KNA, Vihiga County Prisons
Commander Kennedy Locho assured of extra measures to ensure the facility remained safe from the deadly virus.
By Maurice Aluda
