The government on Monday isolated another 3 cases suspected of the Coronavirus.
Out of the 20 cases that are being attended at the isolation unit, 3 had already been confirmed, 3 are suspect and 14 have been quarantined.
Giving today’s update on the corona virus situation in the country at the Government media centre this evening, Government Spokesperson, Col.(Rtd) Cyrus Oguna said the government is continuing with contact tracing of all those who might have been in contact with the first case.
‘’The three confirmed cases are being treated at the Kenyatta national hospital and we can confirm that they are stable, the 3 suspected cases brought in today are in isolation awaiting test results while the remaining 14 are in quarantine and also awaiting results ‘, Col. Oguna said.
He noted that the level of preparedness and response at National and also County levels has seen stringent measures put in place in an effort to ensure the COVID-19 situation does not escalate.
Apart from the isolation facilities at Mbagathi District Hospital and Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), he said that the government has also expanded to include Kenyatta University Teaching, Research and referral Hospital together with facilities at the counties.
Currently he explained that there are 35 Counties that have set up quarantine and isolation facilities for COVID-19 suspected case and that Testing kits and necessary supplies have been made available.
The additional facilities, the spokesperson said are to ensure the Country is able to handle COVID 19 related cases in the event there are more reports more cases at the community level.
‘’The government is also training, Training of Trainers (TOT) and the exercise is being conducted in all the 47 counties and this will ensure all counties have capacity to test and manage COVID-19 case”, he said.
Col. Oguna went ahead to confirm that training of all health workers at all health facilities including Mbagathi District hospital is being conducted.
Mbagathi hospital health workers had today gone on a go slow, saying the government is showing little support in training them on coronavirus.
The Spokesperson however, clarified, saying the said health workers were working for the main hospital and not the isolation Centre where the affected were, but was quick to assure that even the health care workers at the main Mbagathi hospital would be trained.
‘’ Mbagathi hospital workers have today received equipment’s and the health workers will be trained starting tomorrow’’, he said.
Col. Oguna also clarified that the country has enough testing capacities which has been extended to other KEMRI Satellite centres namely Kilifi, Kericho, Kisumu and Busia on top of the two in Nairobi that will aid in shortening trans-shipment time of samples as well as results
“5,000 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) sets and commodities have been distributed to all counties and major Points of Entry (POEs) among them, JKIA, Moi International Airport as well as health facilities at county level and all POE shave operational isolation facilities with Prepositioned PPE”, Col. Oguna reiterated.
On the Country’s points of entry, Col. Oguna said that screening is taking place in all Ports of Entry in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 importation into the country.
“Screening is ongoing in all points of entry, at the Airport , Seaport and border points to minimize the risk of importation of the virus from affected countries’’, he said .
other sectors that are being trained to enhance capacity in continuing the possible spread of COVID– 19 include, tax operators, public transport and boda boda operators, prisons, police, and also NYS .
The government, Col. Oguna said continue to urge Kenyans to practice basic personal hygiene and observe advisories as issued regarding COVID-19 preventive measure.
During the press conference, Ag. Director General at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth confirmed that there enough testing kits in the country despite the global supply chain demand.
He also confirmed that the Kenya Health Professions Oversight Authority Committee is going round to supervise, verify that all the 47 counties and at the end of the week confirm all is in place.
Kenyans have been asked to get more information through call centres by dialing 719 for audio messages or *719# for short messages across all networks. The government has additionally and working together with the Kenya Red Cross will be expanding call centre capacity by incorporating the 1199 red cross line system and as soon as its ready it will be accessed.
The Corona Virus has been spreading across the world and Kenya reported first its imported case on 13th March, 2020.
By Wangari Ndirangu
