CONTAINMENT PROTOCOLS

Governors call for reinstatement of Covid restrictions, say virus is out of control

Oparanya also requested for a resumption of 'all containment protocols'.

In Summary

• Council of Governors chairman Wycliffe Oparanya has said Covid-19 is 'out of control’ noting that they are unable to transfer patients county to county.

• Oparanya said there has been laxity in enforcement of protocols, especially in the transport, entertainment and market sectors.

COG Chairman Wycliffe Oparanya and Health CS Mutahi Kagwe during the summit.
COG Chairman Wycliffe Oparanya and Health CS Mutahi Kagwe during the summit.
Image: COURTESY

Council of Governors chairman Wycliffe Oparanya has said Covid-19 is 'out of control’ noting that they are unable to transfer patients county to county.

Speaking on Wednesday during the sixth extraordinary session of the national and county governments co-ordinating summit at State House, Nairobi called for a resumption of 'all containment protocols'.

Oparanya said there has been laxity in enforcement of protocols, especially in the transport, entertainment and market sectors.

 

"The political class have continued to be the super spreaders of this virus. This has led to an escalation of Covid-19 cases and the collapse of contact tracing efforts," he said.

The CoG chair requested the President to revise the curfew hours from 11 pm to 9 pm for at least a month.

He said county governments will embark on the #NoMaskNoService campaign to curb the spread of the virus.

"Anybody found rendering services without following the protocols will be held liable," he said.

 

The Council of Governors Chairman was giving an update on the status of the county government preparedness to tackle a possible second wave during a summit.

Oparanya said the surge has made it difficult for counties as they can no longer admit new patients. 

"It is actually an acute crisis. Many patients are losing the battle en route to Nairobi to seek treatment. ,” he said.

"We shall be asking that we reexamine the easing of restrictions and re-strategise We are heading to breaking point."

He further noted that 12 counties do not have required 300 beds while 11 counties have less than 5 ICU beds in their isolation facilities.

 

“This is a big and major challenge to patients who might need oxygen support. Currently, 1,665 health workers have been infected by the virus. This is affecting service delivery,” he said.

"We are running out of healthcare workers. They are overwhelmed and it means that patients' care will suffer.”

The summit will also get a brief from the Inter-Faith Council on the resumption of congregational worship and other sectors including transport, hospitality, Funeral gatherings and marketplaces.

Oparanya will further give a brief on the proposed policy response to the Coronavirus Pandemic before the summit heads to a plenary and later adoption of the resolutions.

Thereafter the President will issue his 13th State of the Nation address with regards to the pandemic at around 3 pm.

Possible lockdown and increased curfew hours are among measures on the card, with the President expected to meet the National Security Council later in the week to make a decision.

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