GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES MEASURES BY GOVERNMENT TO MITIGATE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Kakamega County has prepared two health facilities with a total of 25 bed capacity at the General and Referral hospital, to handle screening and treatment of coronavirus victims.

The County Government has also set aside Shs110 million to manage the global pandemic that has so far claimed over 6,000 lives.

Speaking today at a news briefing after a tour of the facilities, Kakamega governor H.E. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya said all ECDE Centres and County polytechnics will be closed from today.

“We have also waived all mortuary charges and asked relatives to unclog our facility by removing the bodies of their loved ones immediately.”

Other measures include a directive to businesses and offices to provide handwashing points to visitors, as well as decongesting offices through introduction of shifts for staff performing essential services.
“We will close all open air markets and public service vehicles will be required to provide sanitizers to their passengers,” he said adding that night clubs will not operate after 11pm.

The County has trained 232 medical staff to train others in all Sub Counties on how to keep residents safe and follow the recommended protocols from the World Health Organization.

Hon. Oparanya who is also the CoG chair informed the public of the activation of two hotlines – 0741933493 for coronavirus and 0720295739 for the Kakamega County General and Referral Hospital.

All these efforts will be supplemented by support from special disease surveillance teams on the ground, he said.

The county boss further said the County has postponed all major events planned for this month including the cultural week and commissioning of projects across several Sub Counties.

The governor was flanked by the CECM for Health, Madam Rachel Okumu, Chief Officer Dr. Beatrice Etemesi, County Secretary and Head of Public Service, madam Jacinta Aluoch Odhiambo, Woman Rep. Hon. Elsie Muhanda, several CECMs, chief officers, the Chief of Staff, Mr. Robert Sumbi and the Medical Superintendent, Dr. Victor Zimbulu