As the novel COVID-19 continues to spread in the country, Vihiga
County Corona Emergency Response Committee is relying on services of
the Geographical Information Systems (GIS) as it continues with the
process of collecting crucial data aimed at zoning the county.
Briefing the press Thursday at the County headquarters in Mbale,
Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo disclosed his administration in
conjunction with the national government had already established
County Command Centre in charge of gathering and assessing important
data aimed at combating the contagious COVID-19.
“The County Police Commander (CPC) Mr. Hassan Barua is in charge of
the Command Centre, which will be providing daily updates on the
pandemic and is domiciled in the County Commissioner’s building,” said
Ottichilo.
The governor noted besides the data gathered at the Command Centre
assisting in mapping of COVID-19 spread, it would also inform the
emergency response committee on necessary measures to put in place to
mitigate the same.
He added plans to decentralise the Command Centre to the sub
counties level were advanced stages.
According to the governor, the Command Centre, through the GIS, had
already identified Mbale, Luanda, Chavakali, Majengo and Shamakhokho
towns as some of the possible hotspots for the corona virus.
The County boss further revealed his administration had procured 2,000
respirators that would be distributed to health workers as well as
security personnel in order to cushion them against the contagious
virus while on duty.
He assured area residents that the county had already established
holding centres in all the sub counties where victims of the virus
will be taken for quarantine.
“The Corona Emergency Response Committee has identified Chango High
School as the main isolation centre for the County,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, Vihiga County commissioner (CC) Ochillo
Oyugi hailed members of public for complying with the ongoing
nationwide curfew.
“Security officers have 29 individuals accused of breaking the law
since President Uhuru Kenyatta declared the curfew,” revealed Oyugi
who warned public transport operators against taking advantage of the
current situation to hike fares.
He urged members of the County Market Management Committee members to
continue sensitizing traders and buyers on importance of social
distancing as a way of buttressing efforts aimed at curbing the spread
of COVID-19.
By Maurice Aluda
