An isolation ward and a lab manned by medics trained on Covid-19, screening of incoming travellers, and the provision of hand-washing tanks and masks for the public are some of the measures Kirinyaga County has undertaken to beat the pandemic.
Governor Anne Waiguru said, apart from a 14-bed isolation ward at Kerugoya County Hospital where Covid-19 patients would be admitted, her administration has also procured protective gear for medical workers.
Yesterday, Ms Waiguru said despite facing various challenges, the county had made efforts to fight the pandemic.
"Although we have made many interventions to fight this disease, our social fabric is under strain. We have been forced to adapt to a different lifestyle and made numerous changes to our daily routines," said the county boss.
"However, the faster we adapt to the set guidelines, the faster we will beat Covid-19. We have hope that our health and economy will prosper once again."
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In conjunction with the national government, the county has identified six boarding secondary schools where patients would be isolated.
“We also identified and trained a medical team, comprising four medical doctors, four clinical officers, seven nurses, two laboratory technologists and two pharmaceutical doctors. Two lab officers undertook Covid-19 screening and testing training at Kemri. The team cascaded the same on-job training to medical practitioners across the county,” said Waiguru as she flagged off 200 hand-washing tanks for distribution to public places.
The county has set up road blocks at Kwa Samaki to screen travellers coming in from Nairobi, at PI to screen those coming from Embu, at Sagana to screen those coming from Murang’a, and at Kiangai to screen those from neighbouring Nyeri County.
County Commissioner Jim Njoka said officials are working closely with Waiguru’s administration to implement public health measures.
And to meet the high demand for face masks, the county, through the Wezesha Mama Apparel Factory in Kerugoya town, is producing more than 1,000 masks a day.
The factory has also been making hospital linens and workers’ garments.
