Fear as Covid-19 patient flees in West Pokot

Residents of West Pokot County are now living in fear after a Covid-19 patient who had been isolated at a health facility in neighboring Uganda reportedly escaped.

The 42-year-old Kenyan was among three confirmed cases admitted at the facility on Tuesday.

Speaking to The Standard, West Pokot County Commissioner Apollo Okello said officers both from Kenya and Uganda have launched a search for the woman who is alleged to suffer mental health issues.

Apollo noted that the woman after testing positive was taken to Moroto Hospital for treatment but managed to escape and her whereabouts are unknown.

"On May 22, she is said to have stayed at Lokiimo village in Amudat town for two days and was found buying items at the market. Her samples were taken and turned out to be Covid-19 positive." said Okello.

He said the woman has a mental problem and that she also suffers a drinking problem.

"We have began contact tracing with the county rapid response team. She traveled to her place of work over the weekend and on 22^nd, she was arrested at Amudat market in Uganda,” hee said.

He noted that the details of how she managed to escaped from the quarantine centre cannot be established unless the Ugandan authorities explain the situation which contributed to her escape.

The county commissioner asked West Pokot residents to be on high alert and whenever they see the suspect they should alert the officers.