Western counties stare at crisis as Covid cases surge
Noven Owiti, Robert Ochoro and Dennis Lumiti
The reality of Covid-19 spread has hit home hard in Western Kenya as health facilities struggle to deal with surging infections.
Kisii County Commissioner Allan Macharia yesterday said about 250 inmates at the Kisii Prison had been isolated to curb the spread of the disease after 11 of them tested positive for the virus.
He said 36 patients were admitted at Kisii Teaching and Referral hospital while 150 were being attended to at home.
“The infection rate in the region has jumped to 20 per cent in two weeks. I urge our people not to relax the Ministry of Health containment measures,” Macharia told the press at his office yesterday.
Earlier, the Commissioner flagged off a caravan from the Ministry of Health to sensitise residents on the disease.
In Kakamega County, medical facilities reported hundreds of infections.
Officials raised concern over shortage of oxygen and Personal Protective Equipment for health workers.
Health facilities in the county, especially the Kakamega Referral Hospital, are overwhelmed with a high number of patients.
County Health Executive Collins Matemba confirmed that the facilities were overstretched.
“The hospitals are overflowing with patients. We have run out of oxygen and I smell disaster,” said Matemba.
There was panic in a village in Ikolomani after several residents fell ill and later tested positive for the disease.
Tenwek Hospital in Bomet County, which has the capacity of 27 patients in its isolation units, has been receiving up to 40 patients in a day.
According to the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Shem Tangus, the Covid-19 cases in the region may soon get out of hand.
He said twice the hospital had been forced to transfer some Covid-19 patients to Longisa Hospital.
“We have requested Longisa to host some of the patients and this is an indicator that all is not well.”
In Kisumu, a surge in Covid-19 infections has been recorded in recent days.
A rise in fatalities has also been reported especially in Kajulu area in Kisumu East sub-county.
Last week, the Ministry of Health introduced additional restrictions to slow down the spread of the virus in the Lake Basin.
A spot check showed many Kakamega residents have been violating health protocols even after the government ordered longer curfew hours in 13 counties in the region following a spike in infections.
In Kakamega and Shinyalu open air markets, business went on as usual as traders and customers flocked the facilities.
Curfew violators
But most churches adhered to the protocols, with fewer members turning up for worship on Sunday.
“We have ensured that we adhere to all the health protocols. We are not taking any chances,” said Fr Edward Mulama of Shiseso Catholic Church.
Kakamega East police boss Robert Makau said they were doing their best to ensure all the health protocols were observed.
“It is true that some of our people are stubborn but we are effectively dealing with the situation,” he said.
Scores of residents who had failed to observe the health and security protocols were arrested.
In Homa Bay County, Over 600 people were arrested for flouting Covid-19 protocols and are expected to appear in court today.
Homa Bay County Commissioner Moses Lilan said they were arrested between Saturday and Monday morning for various offenses, including violating the curfew hours, boarding overloaded matatus and failure to wear masks.
In Kisumu County, Health Executive Boaz Nyunya expressed concern that majority of residents had thrown caution to the wind despite the surge in infections.
He said bars and restaurants were still overcrowded while some of them operated beyond the revised 7pm deadline.
“We appeal to the people of Kisumu to join the fight against Covid. With self-discipline and patriotism, we will flatten the curve in less than two weeks,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kisii County Police Commander Francis Kooli has warned matatu Saccos against allowing their drivers and conductors to carry excess passengers, saying they risk arrest, prosecution and loss of licenses.
He said some matatus were carrying excess passengers during the rush hours.
“Church leaders have complied with the government’s directive. We are now focusing on funerals to ensure bereaved families and mourners comply,” Kooli said in his office yesterday.
The police boss directed chiefs and security officers to ensure that funerals are conducted within three days.
“It is ironic that people want police to force them to live,” Kooli said.
Bomet County police commander Naomi Ichami yesterday said more than 100 people have so far been arrested for flouting the regulations.
Ichami, however, dismissed as untrue claims that bars and clubs in the county were operating at night.
