BUNGOMA: Gov. Wangamati Launches Fumigation Exercise

Bungoma County Kicked off the fumigation exercise of disinfection all public sites including markets and Bus-park as a measure to combat Covid-19 pandemic. The Fumigation is taking place at a time when Kenya has 126 Covid-19 active cases and 4 recoveries from the disease. In addition, Kenya has lost 4 people due to the disease. The sudden, unexpected death of the late engineer Maurice Namiinda who was burried at Naisambu home in Kitale, in the neighboring Trans-Nzoia County was the first pandemic’s tragedy sending the nation to a sombre mood.
The coronavirus named “SARS-CoV-2” is the cause of “COVID-19” in people. Bungoma County officials led by Governor Wycliffe Wangamati conducted the launch of the fumigation as one of the measures against Covid-19 by using “antimicrobials”, “disinfectants”, or “biocides” to neutralize the virus on surfaces.
He said the whole fumigation exercise forms part of a countywide disinfection of public spaces to curb the spread of the corona Virus.
The biggest challenge on the County is to mobilize and empower officials from the Ministry of Education to conduct training sessions sensitizing traders on hand-washing, a crucial safeguard to keep the virus which has been declared a global pandemic at bay. There’s also the need for designated washing spots, and if possible provision of face masks for the county people.
CHALLENGES Bungoma county just like many other counties are still struggling with the virus preparedness in terms of fairly adequate clinical facilities especially at government hospitals. It is however, not clear, how many ventilators are in store at Bungoma Refferal hospital and Webuye refferal Hospital in case of an outbreak in the county.
The Governor also toured several private hospitals in the county including Lifecare hospital and Bungoma West Hospital to ascertain treatment and isolation preparedness for the virus attack.
On 11 March, the World Health Organization characterized COVID-19 a pandemic. There’s currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose. To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.

If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness
to others, you should
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the
tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects
and surfaces

In response to the rise of corona virus cases in Kenya on 15 March the government of Kenya closed all schools and directed that all public and private sector workers work from home, wherever possible. The Government also imposed travel restrictions to prevent non-residents from entry. Kenyan nationals and residents were required to self-quarantine for a minimum of fourteen days. A 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM curfew was declared on 27th march 2020.