By Ok’ongo Oduya

Busia County, Kenya: Busia county recently received a consignment of PPEs to help in the fight against coronavirus. Speaking during the handover ceremony, Polycarp Igathe from Equity Bank representing the chairman of the health committee at the COVID-19 response committee James Mwangi , noted that the committee will continue supporting counties in the fight against COVID-19.

According to the COVID-19 response committee director in Busia County David Mukabi 19, 908 those tested are truck drivers, 450 health care workers, 30 are prisoners the rest are persons from the hotel industry and the community.

Busia County has so far conducted 25, 064 COVID-19 related tests out of the 574 that turned out to be  COVID-19 positive. 225 people have recovered from the COVID-19.

“Busia has been much affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and as we speak currently our tally of COVID-19 cases stands at 574.” Said Mukabi.

“We have managed to handle 525 at our facilities in Alupe, and ATC and 225 cases have recovered and have been discharged home. We have conducted a total of 25, 064 cases which includes the truck drivers who form the bulk of cases with about 19900 tasted,” he said.

Chief Officer Department of health in Busia County Dr. Isaac Omeri said the county has 124-bed capacities and are having measures in place to increase the capacity to 200 beds.

Currently Alupe center has 222-bed capacity and Agricultural Training center 62-bed capacities.

The county is targeting to acquire at least 402 beds.

The former Nairobi county deputy governor said they have already delivered PPEs worth 237 Million to 68 public hospitals in Kenya and soon the committee will buy worth sh400 Million additional equipment.

“The COVID-19 national committee led by Jane Karuku is now out buying another Ksh 400 million worth of equipment. This is the first consignment it will keep coming. Let the committee remain active and keep on informing us. This disease is here with us; we don’t know how long it is going to be with us.” He said.

Addressing the press in Busia while receiving Personal Protective Equipment from the National emergency response committee on coronavirus in collaboration with Equity bank foundation, deputy governor Moses Mulomi raised the fear that COVID-19 infections is already in the community.

”Busia we have been exposed to very extensively, we now also have community infections but the main challenge we have had a lot of infections related to the fact that we are on transit at Busia and Malaba respectively. Out of more than 500 cases we have had 99 percent are truck drivers,” he said.

Igathe urged Kenyans to keep safe and follow the regulations set aside by the medics in breaking the chain.

“What doctors have told us, wash our hands, don’t touch your face unnecessarily, eat well, and exercise. Do all you the things that you should do to prevent and care for your family especially the elderly and the vulnerable and little children,” he said.