The lake region is witnessing a surge in the number of Covid-19 cases. Residents have complained the number of deaths are on the rise insisting it is a cause for alarm as most of the deaths were attributed to Covid-19 complications. With the rising number of deaths churches in the village have been forced to close temporarily as part of efforts to curb the further spread of the virus.
Even with the surge of Covid 19 most people are taking the disease lightly in the region which is a real shame as the region has been reported to have more than one variant of the virus; including the Indian virus that spreads very fast and is more deadly. During the Madaraka Day celebrations we saw people ignore the set protocols and gather in large crowds at Kondele even after they were urged to stay home and follow the celebrations virtually.
As villagers proposed a lockdown in the region, the Lake Region Economic Bloc leadership had a meeting and resolved that a lockdown should be considered. In its proposal, Lake Region Economic Bloc leadership leaders want people’s movement restricted while still maintaining economic activities.national and county governments to invest in civic education.
Urgency should be employed in providing adequate resources such as oxygen, human resources for health, testing kits, pulse oxymeters, vaccines and PPE. An online integrated data platform needs to be created to enable coordination, based on science and leveraging of technology. We should have an information base that provides real-time information on resources availability, staffing, functional ICU, bed space, oxygen in public and private facilities. Amid the surge in infections, private and public facilities in the region have reported a shortage of oxygen.In addition, frontline health workers managing Covid-19 infections are overstretched.
The surge in Covid-19 cases in the county has been attributed to non-adherence to measures such as handwashing, sanitising and keeping social distance. While, In neighbouring Vihiga County, health authorities are turning away people who are due for the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine after the 15,000 doses they had were exhausted, with no word on when the second consignment will be delivered. This has rattled thousands of people who received the first dose of the vaccine.
Health care workers say the rising number of cases is making them vulnerable thus they calling on the people to exercise caution and observe the health protocols.
