The County Government in partnership with Pharmaccess and Maseno University have launched a digital platform to trace and manage COVID-19 infections.
Kisumu become the first county in Kenya to roll out the application that is currently being used to manage COVID-19 related cases in multiple countries in Europe and Africa.
Dubbed COVIDConnect, the mobile application will enable Kisumu residents carry out self checks for corona related symptoms from the comfort of their homes and work places. The app is branded Luscii and is readily available for free on Google and Apple Play Store.
The developments are among the new protocols initiated by the county government to contain the virus spread; others include mandatory testing of staff working within prosperity house. The same will be applied to the county assembly including the rotational fumigation of county offices.
Speaking during the app launch at Maseno City Campus, Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o lauded the developments a game changer in revolutionizing COVID management in the health sector.
The containment measures have demanded a great deal of innovation that has seen the county government launch a toll-free call center at the varsity.
According to the Governor the innovations will boost capacity for early detection of suspected cases, testing and containment saving space for high risk patients in hospitals.
In his address Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili stressed the county government’s commitment to robustly enforce mechanisms to ensure all set guidelines on Covid management are adhered to.
Users are expected to sign up for the service on a daily basis and record their symptoms including; sore throat, fever, breathing and coughs. The data is then analyzed by standby doctors who in turn provide the user with required medical support.
So far, the county has recorded 24 COVID-19 positive cases with 21 of those being imported and three from community transmissions, eleven patients have since recovered and discharged.
The county government has already up scaled its preparedness to handle the virus by procuring 300 new beds to boost the isolation capacity which stands at 87.The beds will be distributed for use by the weeks end.
Maseno Vice Chancellor Prof. Julius Nyabundi called for more collaborations in areas of research between the Varsity and the county government to effectively win the war on COVID.
Present were Pharmaccess Country Director Isaiah Okoth, County CEC’s among other varsity and county officials.
In a joint address they urged members of the public to keep adhering to set government measures to keep the virus at bay.
By Collins Owuor
Governor Nyong’o officially launches the Kisumu COVID-19 App Dubbed COVIDConnect (Picture By David Wadulo)
