The war against Covid-19 in Garissa county at the weekend was boosted with a Sh6.4 million personal protective equipment donation from the Swiss government.
The 1,336 PPEs were received by chief officer for Health and Sanitation Abdi Shukri at Garissa county referral hospital's isolation centre.
The donation was made through Frontier Counties Development Council.
"At the health leadership, we feel comforted, encouraged and humbled by your outpouring genorosity and support both to our frontline health care workers as well as the entire community," Shukri said in appreciation.
"This donation will go a long way in ensuring that our health workers in the frontline in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic feel safe when discharging their duties."
He assured the FCDC that the donation will also address the social, economic and environmental determinants of health.
The chief officer said the death toll in the county since the Covid-19 outbreak was 17 and positive cases 616 as of November 18.
He said the total number of cases in home-based isolation and care was 513 while recoveries were 430.
A total of 5,790 samples had been tested in the same period.
Shukri said that the county has 'adequate' isolation wards at Garissa Referral Hospital.
He cited other achievements as enhanced surveillance and screening at points of entry along the county borders, creation of an emergency operation centre and establishment of staff green zone for Covid-19 frontline workers.
Shukri urged the public to strictly adhere to government protocols - washing hands, wearing masks and social distancing - to fight Covid-19.
He was accompanied by deputy director of Preventive and Promotive Health Services Ibrahim Gedi and Ahmed Bashey, the in-charge of the Covid 19 response and isolation centre.
The FCDC was represented by Abdirahman Maalim.
Meanwhile, deputy county commissioner Bernard ole Kipury has also cautioned residents against disregarding Covid-19 protocols.
Kipury said the area risked losing the gains made in the war against Covid-19 if they don't take the ministry of health protocols seriously.
"I want to reiterate that this disease is real and is claiming lives. The disease has no known cure for now,' he said during the installation of the new Waberi West assistant chief Ahmed Mohamed Amey.
He said the only way to defeat Covid-19 is to wear face masks, sanitise hands regularly, social distancing and washing hands with soap and running water.
