The Taita Taveta government has halted the launch of all completed county projects for two weeks to control the spread of coronavirus in the region.
On Monday, Governor Granton Samboja said the virus is spreading across the county and that all grassroots events shall remain suspended.
“We are taking a bold decision to contain the virus. All county officials are directed to stop all the events for the next two weeks," he said.
Samboja further urged residents to adhere to all containment measures.
He announced that the county has 55 active Covid-19 cases.
“Seven of them have been admitted to Mwatate Isolation Centre while other seven in Wesu subcounty hospital. Three people are in critical condition and have been taken to Mombasa,” Samboja said.
He said this fourth wave of Covid-19 is lethal.
“Wear your masks correctly, maintain social distance and ensure good hygiene by washing your hands regularly. This is the only way to survive,” the governor said.
He was speaking at his Mwatate office during the awarding of county education scholarships to bright but needy students.
Some 100 students from poor families, who excelled in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exam, are set to benefit from financial and material aid.
Samboja further revealed that the construction of a new Covid-19 isolation ward at the Mwatate subcounty hospital is near complete and will be opened this month.
Once complete, he said the 160-bed capacity ward, with a theatre and ICU will help the county offer specialised treatment.
"The county has never had a functional ICU. We are targeting to complete the facility sooner so that those who require ICU services can utilise it," he said.
Currently, Covid-19 patients who require ICU are referred to Mombasa.
-Edited by SKanyara
