This archive report was first published on 11 June 2020.
Published on June 11, 2020
Isiolo Health Executive Denies Poor Conditions in Quarantine Centres ¶
Isiolo Health Executive Wario Galma has dismissed claims that quarantine centres in the county are in a deplorable state. He stated that the county has put in place all necessary measures to ensure the safety and comfort of patients.
According to Mr. Galma, those in quarantine centres are provided with masks on a daily basis, and new traced contacts are separated from the rest. He also mentioned that the county has sanitisers outside and in each quarantine centre, and contacts are given seven masks to last them throughout the week.
Mr. Galma also addressed allegations of inadequate food supply in the quarantine centres. He stated that 55 bales of flour were supplied to the centres on Monday, in addition to the remaining food supplied a week ago.
Residents in the quarantine centres had earlier complained about the lack of food and poor living conditions. They alleged that they were not getting enough food and were forced to skip evening meals, only to be served with a cup of tea the following morning.
"We have never changed the bedding since I was brought here. We are the ones to wash for ourselves, and the new people coming are not isolated but brought in to mingle with us," said one of the residents.
Another resident stated, "We are wondering where the purported food by the county government went to because we have been starving and living in pathetic conditions."
Mr. Galma also mentioned that 33 people who came into contact with Isiolo's fourth Covid-19 patient, a police officer who travelled from Kitui, have been quarantined in Merti. He stated that samples from the contacts had been sent to Nairobi for testing and that they are waiting for the results.
