Nyeri residents exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms should stop using herbs and over the counter medicine, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has said.
The governor said the rising number of deaths from Covid-19 in the county was because residents are going to the hospital late and after self-medicating for a long time. By that time the complications are worse and saving lives impossible.
Kahiga spoke while presenting the Covid-19 situation report in Nyeri. County commissioner Loyford Kibaara was present.
Kahiga said the majority of the patients were dying within 24 hours of getting to the hospital.
“That tells you clearly that there is a major problem as we are not going to hospital as soon as signs are noted,” he said.
The county chief called on residents to visit the hospital as soon as they experience signs of illness.
“Please stop being your own doctor. You are not trained to be a doctor,” he said.
Infections are rising, with Kahiga attributing the speedy spread to reduced adherence to Covid-19 protocols.
Kibaara said the Covid-19 response committee had resolved to increase testing capacity and intensify the enforcement of protocols through the multiagency committee in all the subcounties.
He called on all county leaders to advocate for adherence to the Covid-19 prevention measures among their followers.
The county government suspended all meetings, training and any other public gatherings for the next 30 days.
Chiefs, their assistants and health volunteers will monitor all burials and public events to ensure Covid-19 protocols are adhered to.
“There shall be no viewing of bodies during funerals and there shall be no food served in burials happening in this county, while all burials should be conducted within 72 hours,” Kibaara said.
The team also suspended all political gatherings.
All county staff with pre-existing medical conditions or are aged over 58 years will work from home except for those working in special services.