Reprieve for county officials ordered to self-quarantine

It is a relief for 22 Kisii County officials who had been ordered to go on self –quarantine following the death of one of the County directors who exhibited Covid-19 like-symptoms.

The deceased was pronounced dead on arrival at the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital. Samples were taken for testing at the Kenya Medical Research Institute laboratory in Kisumu and on Tuesday night the results came out negative.

Early Tuesday morning, Dr Richard Onkware of the County Public Health and Sanitation had ordered the 22 to self-quarantine.

“Following the untimely and unfortunate demise of our colleague who by the time of his death exhibited symptoms suggestive of Covi-19, there is need to trace all officers who in one way of the other might have been in contact with him.”

Those who were to quarantine include a manager, a chief officer, six directors, three deputy directors and a number of revenue and enforcement officers.

However, Dr Onkware in a phone conversation Wednesday morning said he had since canceled the order after the results on the samples taken from the deceased came out negative.

Governor James Ongwae announced that the county had recorded 29 positive cases, four from outside the devolved unit. 16 people have so far been discharged from the County Isolation Center while two others have succumbed.

“I had keenly been following on the progress of our dear nurse Maryanne Awour who succumbed on Sunday. It was tough for her to battle the disease while still expecting to deliver her firstborn baby. We leave everything to God and pray for the affected families.” said Ongwae.

He added that the hospital has prepared 310 beds in complying with the Ministry of Health directive on Covid-19 emergency preparations.