Boda boda riders have been ordered to carry only one passenger so as to maintain some level of distance and that both rider and passenger must wear protective masks to help curb the spread of Coronavirus in Kenya.
While giving an update on the Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe says government shall supply masks to the counties and called on the Boda boda association leaders to oversee the initiative.
” It is evident, the virus is being spread in communities and is no longer imported from the outside. Most of the new infections are coming from the community and all boda boda operators are advised only carry one passenger henceforth.” He said.
CS Mutahi Kagwe has announced 8 new cases of Coronavirus disease bringing the total number of those who have tested positive of COVID-19 in the country to 50.
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“The eight cases are spread out in Kitui (1), Nairobi (6) and Mombasa (1),” he said.
According to CS Kagwe, 88 samples were tested from close contacts of the previous 42 confirmed cases and out of this number six were confirmed positive.
One of the confirmed cases is a patient at the Aga Khan Hospital.
The CS further stated that tracing of contacts of the 50 patients is ongoing and the total number of close contacts now stands at 1474.
“Out of this, 231 have been discharged after completing mandatory 14-day follow up,” CS Kagwe said, adding that teams are now monitoring 1211 close contacts.
1005 people have so far been tested for Coronavirus.
Nairobi County still leads with 37 cases, Kilifi 6, Mombasa 4, Kajiado, Kwale and Kitui each having one case.
Meanwhile, as Covid-19 continues to evolve and impact communities worldwide, Kitui County Textile Centre (KICOTEC) has started making face masks locally to curb its spread. KICOTEC is making sample face masks and other preventive gears as the government steps up measures to fight the rising number of infections.
This maiden venture by the Kitui County Government has seen production of hundreds of samples that will be presented to the Health Cabinet Secretary (CS), Mutahi Kagwe and Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) for approval and subsequent orders.
Making the statement, Monday, Kitui County Governor, Charity Ngilu, said that KICOTEC has the capacity to make thousands of masks per day.
This venture comes at the backdrop of the recent passage of Sh100 million by the County Assembly in favour of the local Ministry of Health and Sanitation to fight the virus.
The Governor noted that the lack of masks, gowns, eye gear among other protective gears was hampering the ability of medical workers to fight coronavirus and putting their own lives at risk.
“With Covid-19 infections soaring, doctors, nurses and other front line medical workers, KICOTEC has the capacity to upscale the production of masks, surgical gowns and eye gear to protect them from the virus,” said the Governor.
She disclosed that the supply of protective gears would allay healthcare workers’ fears of exposure to the virus not only to themselves but their families and others.
Meanwhile, Kitui County continues to support the fight against spread of the deadly virus and has adopted the recommended Ministry of Health and WHO guidelines, including washing of hands and observing social distancing.
“This is an unprecedented time in our history as the Covid-19 pandemic is having an impact on people’s health, businesses, global economy and communities face daily disruptions,” said Ngilu.