Tharaka-Nithi runs out of isolation beds as Covid-19 cases rise

Tharaka-Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki on Friday, April 23 revealed that health facilities put up to handle Covid-19 cases have been overwhelmed.

Mr Njuki told residents at Igambang’ombe Sub County that the isolation wards at Chuka Referral Hospital had no more room.

Speaking during the burial of Josephat Kithaka whom he described as a close friend, Njuki said with no space to accommodate more, people had been forced to look for space outside the county.

“As we speak, our hospitals are full. Before, I was telling people that Chuka hospital had enough beds. But they are full now and some are forced to take (potential patients) out,” Njuki said.

He said with all available isolation beds now occupied, they were overwhelmed and could not take in the patients.

Njuki said though the Chuka hospital had an oxygen production plant, they could not take in any more patients and urged residents to take preventive measures and adhere to health protocols put in place to combat the pandemic.

“We have to obey the law put in place to protect ourselves,” Njuki said, adding that some residents had lowered their guard and were not adhering to safety measures.

“Some people are just placing their masks around their necks, or put them on properly when they see the police. The police are not in charge of your health, so protect yourselves,” he said.

He added: “We must take care of ourselves, knowing our facilities are overwhelmed,” he cautioned.

Kenya on Friday reported 773 new Covid-19 cases raising the total caseloads to 155,165.

This is from a sample size of 7,036 that was tested in the same period translating to a positivity rate of 11.0 per cent.

A statement from the Ministry of Health shows that from the fresh cases, 754 are Kenyans while 19 are foreigners with 450 being males and 323 females.

The youngest is a seven-day-old infant with the oldest being 109 years.