The County Government of Busia has started plans of establishing more Isolation and Treatment facilities that will help ease pressure on the Busia Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) and Alupe.

Health and Sanitation Chief Officer in charge of Medical Services Dr Isaac Omeri said the County Covid-19 Response Committee has identified Kocholiya, Nambale, Sio-Port, Khunyangu and Port Victoria hospitals as additional recovery centres.

“Currently we are focusing mostly on Alupe and ATC; we have discussed possibilities of expanding our bed capacity to 402 by bringing on board Kocholiya to have 30 beds, Nambale (30), Sio-Port (30), Khunyangu (30) and Port Victoria (24),” he said.

Speaking on Thursday during a live interview at the Western Nyota Fm in Busia Town, Omeri disclosed that the extra facilities will be used to accommodate Covid-19 patients in case there will be an overrun at the Alupe and ATC centres.

He further said that truck drivers have immensely contributed to increased number of Coronavirus cases recorded in the County despite the re-opening of the economy by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“Most of the residents confirmed positive of coronavirus are those who have mingled with the long distance truck drivers especially in Busia and Malaba towns,” said the chief officer.

He was accompanied by the County Director of Communication Winston Mbanda, where he stated that Governor Sospeter Ojaamong’s administration was fully committed towards sensitizing the community on Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr Omeri however asked residents to wear face masks as directed by the Ministry of Health to help curb the spread of the disease, asserting that the virus should not be taken lightly .

He also urged barbers and hairdressers to observe high standards of hygiene for the benefit of their clients.

“Coronavirus spreads primarily through droplets and hence the need to adhere to the Covid-19 regulations,” he said, adding that despite Busia County being among the top counties with highest number of Covid-19 cases, healthcare workers have continued to do their best to save lives.