Residents of West Pokot County have breathed a sigh of relief after the result of a suspected case of the Coronavirus turned negative. The female patient who is a student at Thika Technical Institute in Kiambu traveled back to Senetwo in Chepareria on 20th March. She became sick and the symptoms she developed included a headache, running nose, coughing, joint pains and a mild fever. The 23-year-old had sought medical assistance at Chepareria Sub County hospital and she was placed in isolation as tests were taken to ascertain her condition.
At a press conference at the County headquarter in Kapenguria, Governor John Lonyangapuo said that her specimen was taken and tests were done at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) lab in Kisumu. “We have received the result and the girl has tested negative for Coronavirus,” said Lonyangapuo.
He affirmed that the County response team, which he leads, is on high alert. He has also banned the selling of charcoal and timber in West Pokot to curb the Covid-19 spread. “It seems everyone is coming to collect charcoal from West Pokot using motorbikes using hidden routes. The most notorious areas are in North Pokot, like Kanyerus, Kokochaya, Katikomor, Mermer, Karenger, Kanyarkwat, Cheptuya…..” he said.