The County government of Uasin Gishu is partnering with non-governmental organizations to create awareness among locals following the sharp spike in confirmed Covid 19 cases in the County.
The sharp increase has seen both public and private hospitals Intensive Care Units beds almost full raising concern that the health facilities maybe overwhelmed if the virus is not contained.
According to Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno and health CEC Evelyn Rotich more than 1200 people have been infected with the virus that had also claimed 33 lives.
Ten health officers have also contracted the disease, adversely affecting health services as the affected medics are forced to quarantine.
Speaking in Eldoret while receiving a donation of Covid-19 branded awareness materials from Centre for Human Rights and Mediation, the two leaders said so many asymptomatic people were walking around unknowingly infecting others hence making it difficult to contain the spread of the disease.
Chemno pointed out that the root cause of the current spike in the county and neighbouring counties was as a result of the public not adhering to the Ministry of Health Covid 19 containment guidelines and protocols.
The DG urged members of the public not to lower their guard in the fight against Covid 19 warning that the second wave of the pandemic may lead to many lives being lost unless everybody take personal responsibility to prevent themselves from infection.
“Always wear a face mask in public, wash your hands regularly with soap and running water, and maintain social distance of at least two meters. Our concerted effort will see us defeat this virus if we follow these simple rules at all times,” he said.
County Health Services CEC Ms Everlyne Rotich stressed on the need for transport operators to follow government directives on the number of passengers they are authorized to carry and passengers also to ensure they sanitize before boarding vehicles as this was key in breaking the chain of transmission.
The county leaders appealed to young people in urban areas to minimize visits to their rural homes as a way of protecting their elderly parents from contracting the virus.
Many residents had not been adhering to the Ministry of Health containment measures until October 24th when reports indicated Uasin Gishu was leading with 181 Covid 19 confirmed cases that day countrywide. This acted as a wakeup call to the residents who started observing the laid down regulations and guidelines.
By Kiptanui Cherono
