Editor's Review

Five counties are facing lockdowns threat in efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19

Five counties are facing lockdowns threat in efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Reports by the Nation on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, indicated that the decision is to avert overwhelming hospitals with patients who need immediate care.

The Covid-19 National Emergency Response Committee (NERC) identified Nairobi, Mombasa, Kericho, Nakuru and Turkana as virus hotspots.

This means the counties are heading for a lockdown to avoid overwhelming the ill-equipped hospitals, especially in rural counties.

Kenya’s infection curve has taken a sharp turn, recording over 4,500 new cases in the past one month.

Increased cases

In the last seven days, the daily average neared 400 compared to 164 in the week to September 30 when President Kenyatta announced the easing of containment measures across the country.

“Experts are convinced that Nakuru, Turkana and Kericho must be placed on stricter measures, while they are still debating on whether to have Nairobi and Mombasa back on these lockdowns,” the publication quoted an official from NERC.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe on Sunday said Kenyans should brace themselves for fresh containment measures, warning of a potential crisis.

This comes barely a month after, President Kenyatta relaxed some of the lockdown measures.