Cyrus Oguna’s warning to those boarding crowded matatus

**Passengers inside a city matatu.** [Samson Wire, Standard]

Government Spokesperson Col. (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna has warned those boarding matatus flouting Covid-19 rules, saying they will be on their own when they contract the virus.

In a series of tweets, Oguna said that keeping Covid-19 at bay is now a personal responsibility and the initiative should "be in-born".

“Do not board a matatu if there is no physical distancing. If you contract covid-19, you are on your own…the initiative has to come from you.

“Individuals, employers and organisations should promote physical distancing & help reduce the risk of #COVID19 infection in our community,” he tweeted.

He further described the virus as a ‘lonely disease’ saying those infected will be admitted in hospital and will be away from others. Reflecting on his battle with the virus, Oguna revealed that he was in hospital for 29 days and it was not easy.

“I was in hospital for 29 days suffering from #COVID19 which is a lonely disease. Anyone who has tested positive needs love and not stigma as you can recover and move on with your life.

“Without adhering to the #COVID19 measures, we might lose many of our people. We can protect ourselves if we all adhere to the containment measure. These measures include proper wearing of masks, physical distancing, hand washing with soap & running water,” he added.

The Health ministry in a statement on Tuesday said that 1,344 people had tested positive for coronavirus in the last 24 hours from a sample size of 7,162. The national tally now stands at 64,588.

In the new cases, 1,299 are Kenyans and 45 are foreigners. More men than women continue to test positive for the virus seeing as 815 male cases were reported against 529 women.

In terms of age, the youngest was a one-month-old baby, while the oldest is 96.

Nairobi led with 322 cases as Mombasa followed with 133. Laikipia recorded 72 new Covid-19 cases as Uasin Gishu reported 66 followed by Kericho (65), Nakuru (63), Kajiado (43) and Kilifi (40) among others.

Some 436 patients recovered from the disease with 297 from the home-based care programme while 139 have been discharged from various hospitals. The total recoveries now stand at 43,095.

Twenty-four patients have succumbed to the disease, bringing the fatality tally to 1,154.