Kisii Governor James Ongwae says no coronavirus case has been reported in the county.
The governor clarified that the single case which was reported by Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe on Tuesday did not originate from Kisii.
The announcement by Kagwe during his daily briefing caused panic in the county.
“I have consulted with the Ministry of Health and confirmed that the Covid-19 case which was reported by the minister is not currently a resident of Kisii but whose county of origin is Kisii,” Ongwae said in a statement.
Ongwae added that the person who tested positive travelled from Dubai to Nairobi and was quarantined in a city hotel where his samples were taken.
The governor added, “It is further confirmed that the person has not travelled to Kisii in the recent past.”
He said that samples taken from people who were in self-quarantine in the county had all tested negative.
The county government has stepped up measures aimed at containing the spread on Covid-19, Ongwae said and appealed to residents to continue observing directives given by the devolved unit and national government.
“People should follow the guidelines which have been given, including social distancing and upholding basic hygiene."
He asked the residents to remain vigilant and report any suspected Covid-19 case to authorities using the toll-free phone numbers.
He said fumigation of Kisii town and its environs which was launched on Saturday night will be done routinely until Covid-19 is contained.
The county has set aside 200 isolation beds across the county and 40 at the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital. The facility has 10 ventilators.
Ongwae added that 18 schools with over 500 beds per school have been identified as possible quarantine centres in case hospitals are overwhelmed.
He assured county health workers that the county had enough personal protective equipment (PPEs).
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