As the COVID-19 continues to spread in the country, Vihiga County Corona Emergency Response Committee is relying on services of the Geographical Information Systems (GIS) as it continues with the process of collecting crucial data aimed at zoning the county.
Briefing the press at the County headquarters in Mbale, Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo disclosed his administration in conjunction with the national government had already established County Command Centre in charge of gathering and assessing important data aimed at combating the contagious COVID-19.
“The County Police Commander (CPC) Mr. Hassan Barua is in charge of the Command Centre, which will be providing daily updates on the pandemic and is domiciled in the County Commissioner’s building,” said Ottichilo.
The governor noted besides the data gathered at the Command Centre assisting in mapping of COVID-19 spread, it would also inform the emergency response committee on necessary measures to put in place to mitigate the same. He added plans to decentralise the Command Centre to the sub counties level were advanced stages.
According to the governor, the Command Centre, through the GIS, had already identified Mbale, Luanda, Chavakali, Majengo and Shamakhokho towns as some of the possible hotspots for the corona virus.
The County boss further revealed his administration had procured 2,000 respirators that would be distributed to health workers as well as security personnel in order to cushion them against the contagious virus while on duty.
He assured area residents that the county had already established holding centres in all the sub counties where victims of the virus will be taken for quarantine.
“The Corona Emergency Response Committee has identified Chango High School as the main isolation centre for the County,” he said. Speaking at the same event, Vihiga County commissioner (CC) Ochillo Oyugi hailed members of public for complying with the ongoing nationwide curfew.
“Security officers have 29 individuals accused of breaking the law since President Uhuru Kenyatta declared the curfew,” revealed Oyugi who warned public transport operators against taking advantage of the current situation to hike fares.
He urged members of the County Market Management Committee members to continue sensitizing traders and buyers on importance of social distancing as a way of buttressing efforts aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19.
