Eight people who had been suspected of having coronavirus after coming into contact with a Rome based priest in Siaya County have turned negative, Governor Cornel Rasanga has announced.
Speaking on Thursday in Siaya, Rasanga said that the County Emergency Response Team has traced a further 48 more people who were in contact with the priest, bringing total to 108 those who have been identified reached and screened.
Flanked by Siaya County Commissioner, Michael ole Tialal, the governor said that though the results were encouraging but the residents still need to be extra cautious and to adhere to the government guidelines.
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"Though this is something that gives us hope and a sigh of relief, we cannot celebrate yet because we still consider our County a high-risk area," said Rasanga.
He said that the Emergency Response Team had carried out sensitisation campaigns in the area and had reached both the residents and public servants.
"We have sensitised 529 healthcare workers, 500 prisoners, 50 prison warders and 42 police officers," the governor revealed, adding that National Government administration officials have also been sensitised.
The Siaya County Commissioner called on members of the public who came into contact with the priest and any other suspected Coronavirus carrier to contact health workers for screening.
Tialal expressed concern that matatu and bodaboda operators were yet to adhere to the recommended guidelines, adding that the police were vigilant and will deal with them according to the law.
"Bodaboda operators are still carrying two passengers and while in their stages, you will still find them crowding," he wondered.
He said the government will not tolerate anybody who flouts the guidelines and risk spreading the virus.
Siaya County has been gripped in anxiety since news broke out that a Catholic priest based in Italy, Fr. Richard Onyango Oduor, tested positive to coronavirus, a few days after he presided over a burial ceremony at Ambira in Ugunja Sub-county.
Fr. Oduor further visited and spent the night at Sega Catholic Church and also celebrated Sunday mass at Jera and Sihay churches in the neighboring Ugenya Sub-county. He also visited a convent at Lwak in Rarieda Sub-county.
