Residents of West Pokot County are now living in fear after a Covid-19 patient who had been isolated at a health facility in Uganda, neighbouring the area reportedly escaped. The 42-year-old Kenyan lady was among three confirmed cases admitted at the facility on Tuesday.
West Pokot County commissioner Apollo Okello said police officers from Kenya and Uganda have launched a search for the woman who has mental health issues. He said the woman hails from Kiwawa location and she is also the Natemeri sub location assistant chief in West Pokot County. Apollo noted that the woman after being tested positive was taken to Moroto hospital for treatment but she managed to escape and her whereabouts are not known.
He said the woman also had struggles with alcoholism and the government had planned to take her to a rehabilitation and treatment facility but she ran away to Amudat in Uganda.
He noted that the details of how she managed to escaped from the isolation centre cannot be established unless the Uganda authority explains further.
The County commissioner asked West Pokot residents to be on high alert and report to the police officers if they see her. He also urged those who might’ve been in contact with her to self quarantine for 14 days.
