A team of health personnel in Nakuru County has traced 66 persons who were in contact with a Covid-19 patient.
County Executive Committee Member for Health Dr Zachary Gichuki Kariuki said the affected persons have been placed under quarantine in various isolation facilities, and that his department was racing to find more of the patient’s last contacts.
In his weekly briefings to the media, Dr Kariuki also clarified that not all the cases announced by the Cabinet Secretary as having come from Nakuru were being treated in Nakuru.
“There is no cause for alarm as some of the patients were intercepted in the city and have therefore not been in contact with Nakuru residents,” said the CEC.
Dr Gichuki revealed that two persons who tested positive for Covid 19 at Isolation facilities in Nakuru two weeks ago were responding well to treatment and were in a stable condition.
He said doctors had indicated that the duo may be discharged soon once they fully recover.
He said two other persons who had exhibited symptoms of the disease were being quarantined at special units at the Nakuru Level 5 hospital and that their samples had been forwarded to the Kenya Medical Research Institute for laboratory analysis.
“Currently the Health Department’s specialists working in collaboration with law enforcement agents are closely monitoring 143 other persons who have been placed in quarantine or are under self-imposed quarantine.
The County has rolled out screening of long distance truck drivers who are plying major highways that cut through Nakuru Town. All suspected cases are detained and referred to relevant medical experts,” stated the CEC.
Random screening of residents has also been enhanced in the town centre while residents who refuse to wear masks while in public are arrested.
He added that the devolved unit will continue to maintain close surveillance on coronavirus and give an update on any new measures being undertaken.
Gichuki urged residents to observe all preventive measures set by the ministry.
The county’s training on handling the virus is ongoing. So far, 200 police officers have been trained on how to keep themselves and the public safe.
Others scheduled for training are religious leaders, health workers, law enforcement officers and administrators in all the 11 sub-counties.
Nakuru County Assembly Speaker Joel Maina Kairu said coronavirus has negatively altered the social and economic lifestyle patterns of Kenyans.
“We must support National and County governments’ efforts to curb spread of this pandemic. Kenyans need to be wary that the numbers are rising steadily and may cause economic collapse if not controlled,” said Mr Kairu.
“This is not the time for leaders to politic. They are obligated to show leadership and responsibility in protecting our people from the effect of coronavirus,” he added.
Members of the County Assembly he said, were charged with the duty to implement the directives issued by President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Ministry of Health by relaying the right information to the residents and collaborating with the relevant authorities and ensuring the Ministry of Health guidelines are followed.
“These are extraordinary times that require sacrifice and voluntary leadership. Leaders on the globe are coming up with ideas and sometimes putting their lives on the line to stop the spread of the disease,” said Mr Kairu.
He added: “This is the time when MCAs at the Nakuru County Assembly must demonstrate pure leadership.”
Kairu reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to work closely with the national government and other relevant authorities to reduce the spread of Covid-19.
The number of Covid-19 cases in Kenya rose to 225 on Wednesday with the nine more positive cases of the disease reported.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said 803 samples had been tested since Tuesday, when the ministry reported a total of 216 confirmed cases since the coronavirus was first reported in Kenya.
CS Kagwe said all the new patients were Kenyans and that five cases were reported in Nairobi and four in Mombasa.
CS Kagwe further said 2,366 people had been tested and 1,911 released, leaving 455 under follow-up.
The disease has already resulted in 10 fatalities since it was first reported in the country.
By Jane Ngugi
County Accelerates Tracing of Covid 19 Contacts
