Sub County Covid-19 Emergency Response Committees (SCCERC) have been instructed to step up campaigns against novel Covid-19 in Vihiga County.
Vihiga County Commissioner Mr. Ochilo Oyugi made the appeal in Mbale town on Tuesday when he commissioned distribution of 1,632 hand sanitisers from the national government through the Kenya Pipeline Corporation (KPC).
Officials at KPC delivered a consignment of 68 cartons of hand sanitisers in the county last Friday. Each carton consisted of 24 half-litre bottles of sanitisers.
The sanitisers will be distributed to designated health facilities in the five sub counties in effort to combat spread of the deadly virus in the region.
The Sub County Covid-19 responses teams are co-chaired by respective Ward Administrators and Deputy County Commissioners (DCCs).
“We are calling upon all the Ward Administrators, DCCs and Sub County Medical Officers of Health (MOHs) to ensure resolution made by County Covid-19 Emergency Response Committee (CCERC) are properly executed to enable the county handle the virus,” said Oyugi.
The county boss directed the DCCs and ward administrators present to ensure health professionals who are at the forefront in current war against the contagious Coronavirus, were given first priority in allocation of any safety gadgets.
“After health professionals, all government institutions, especially prison facilities, should be next in the line of distribution,” directed Oyugi, adding the government was keen on cushioning its workers, currently in offices providing critical services, against getting infected by the virus.
He at the same time asked members of public living on the border between Vihiga and Siaya Counties to enhance precautionary measures.
“We are alive to the fact our neighbouring Siaya County has already reported one case of Covid-19 death on the ground,” noted Oyugi, who assured the locals the government will enhance safety measures at affected borders.
“We are contemplating screening people entering and leaving the county at such border points,” he said.
The CC was flanked by Vihiga County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Health, Dr. Amos Kutwa.
Dr. Kutwa thanked the KPC, saying the hand sanitisers will greatly buttress ongoing measures in the fight against the global pandemic.
The CEC urged county residents to continue observing hygiene guidelines currently in place by the Ministry of Health.
“We are urging our people to continue observing social distancing, hand washing using soap and running water, avoid unnecessary travels as well as ensuring their houses are properly ventilated,” appealed Dr. Kutwa.
According to national statistics as per Tuesday evening, one of the 216 individuals who have tested positive originates from Vihiga County.
By Maurice Aluda
