Residents of 13 zoned counties told to adhere to coronavirus guidelines
George Kebaso @Morarak
The Council of Governors has called on counties neighbouring the 13 hotspot zones to ensure strict adherence to health protocols to curb spread of Covid-19.
Council chair Martin Wambora said the counties under lockdown are emerging as the epicenter of the fourth wave, even as the rest of the country is battling the third wave.
“We are appealing to the national government to fast track the ongoing oxygen support to counties for better response, as the situation in Western Kenya belt, especially the lake basin, threatens to transition into a full blown fourth wave,” he said yesterday at CoG headquarters.
In Kisumu, for instance, the council noted that the number of people in home-based care was on an upward trajectory increasing from 405 to 784.
Wambora said the Lake Region Economic Bloc had particularly witnessed a rise of Covid-19 cases with an increasing number of deaths.
“In Kisumu, the Intensive Care Unit and High Dependency Unit beds are fully occupied.
The number of people in home-based care has also within a week increased from 405 to 784. This is very serious,” Wambora added.
The CoG chair raised concern that in the last few weeks there has been a surge in Covid-19 infections in the counties with 583 new confirmed positive cases reported on June 22.
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In Homa Bay, the number of Covid cases has risen from 645 last week to 942 this week and those in home-based care from 350 to 361 within the same period.
“In Kericho on the other hand, the number of people in isolation beds increased from 21 to 66,” he added.
Wambora pointed to a situation that in the coming days if not contained, will get out of hand even as the variants are sweeping the region.
Health Director General, Dr Patrick Amoth, said the status of oxygen in the country is good and the national government will ensure counties with shortage are fully equipped.
On June 18, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said movement in and out of the 13 affected counties is only discouraged except for essential and emergency services.
