298 Health Workers test positive for Covid-19, CoG

By Mourice Seretta

The Council of Governors has said that counties have so far tested and identified that 298 health workers are Covid 19 positive, over the past two weeks.

In a statement, the Council’s Chair who also doubles up as Kakamega County Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said the recent high cases of coronavirus in the country are worrying, hence the need to continue observing the set guidelines.

“Out of the tests carried out across the Counties, 298 healthcare workers have tested positive and are receiving treatment,” Oparanya said.

In the statement, Oparanya said only 34 counties have active quarantine facilities, and that there are 246 patients in those facilities adding that 43 counties have trained and sensitized 4,860 healthcare workers.

‘8,602 community health volunteers have been trained and sensitized on the management and response of Covid-19. Cumulatively, 113,070 healthcare workers and 94,231 community health volunteers have been trained and sensitized across the 47 County Governments.’ He added.

‘A total of 6,665 people initially under home-based care in the last two and a half weeks have fully recovered. County Governments have continued to support patients under home-based care. There are 1,056 patients who are being managed under home-based isolation care.’ Oparanya disclosed.

Oparanya said that the devolved governments have only received disbursements for the month of July and August amounting to Sh52.2 billion from the County Equitable Share and call upon the National Treasury to henceforth effect disbursements of the County Equitable share of revenue without undue delay as required by both the constitution and the PFM Act.

‘The Council of Governors has also noted that there has been laxity in the implementation of the Covid-19 regulations in the Matatu industry. We urge the Ministry of Transport and County Governments to ensure strict adherence to the regulations in the transport sector.’ Oparanya appealed.

The council chair asked the national government to urgently address the issue of the stranded truck drivers at the Malaba and Busia border points for lack of Covid-19 testing occasioned by lack of reagents.