Why Covid-19 cases is fast spreading in Kiambu
The spike in Covid-19 cases in Kiambu County has been attributed to poor observance of containment measures put in place to halt the spread of Corona pandemic
The ongoing mass testing exercise as well as the county’s close proximity to Nairobi, which is considered the epicenter of the Coronavirus may also explain may explain why it spreads so quickly.
Additionally, continuous shaking of hands and meeting with friends for drinks despite President Uhuru Kenyatta directive prohibiting sale of alcohol has also contributed to the spike in numbers.
A spot check by People Daily in various sub-counties such as Gatundu North and South, Thika and Juja revealed that most a majority of residents are yet to adopt the wearing of mask while those doing so were putting them up under the chin
As at last week, the county had recorded over 1,400 cases. According to data from the county’s public Health Department, 81 patients have since succumbed to the deadly virus.
The county has also started to record an increasing mortality cases as opposed to the figures registered before the outbreak of the virus.
Speaking separately, health experts and Governor James Nyoro expressed concerns that Kiambu residents had adopted a business as usual attitude as they are in total disregard of the measures.
Growing numbers
In spite of the growing numbers of Corona positive cases in the country and world over, they claimed majority of Kiambu residents, are still in denial and have not taken seriously the containment measures that have been instituted.
“You have to recognise that we have been testing quite a number of cases. Some of these figures belong to Kiambu people who live outside the county. We expect the numbers to rise because the national figures are also rising,” said Nyoro.
He said the county is prepared for an eventuality and installed 230-bed capacity at Tigoni Hospital and purchased enough ventilators, the county’s main Covid-19 treatment centre.
After reopening the economy, the governor said that traffic jams started to increase; people started seeking entertainment in bars and other joints.
On the other hand, health experts believe as in many rural communities, people have generally dropped their guard in complying with infection prevention control measures that have been communicated.
Dr Moses Mwangi, a virologist, also the former chairman of Kenya Association of Pharmaceutical Industry says that better healthcare infrastructure of a county indicates that more people are likely to respond to health authorities’ directives.
