Machakos Governor Dr. Alfred Mutua has issued a statement following the death of a 21-year-old man who died at Kangundo hospital after exhibiting symptoms similar to those of the novel COVID-19.
Dr. Mutua said the patient did not die from Coronavirus as suspected since test results from the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) came back negative.
According to Dr. Mutua, earlier postmortem tests on the patient who was admitted at the hospital had indicated that he had a bacterial infection.
“Yesterday, a 21 year old man died at Kangundo Hospital with symptoms similar to those of Covid-19. Tests by the Government (KEMRI) have come back negative. Earlier tests in Kangundo showed he had a bacterial infection. He did not die from coronavirus. May he Rest in Peace,” read the statement in part.
The governor called on the residents not to be oblivious of the fact that people were still suffering from other illnesses apart from COVID-19.
“It is important to remember that people are also sick from many diseases and we will, as usual, still lose our friends and family from other illnesses. Even as we take care we don’t get Covid-19, we must provide quality and lifesaving healthcare to the rest of our people,” said Dr. Mutua.
He further assured the residents that health officials were working extra hard to ensure that the spread of Coronavirus is contained and residents ought to create a good working environment for them.
“Our health workers are champions working hard with the extra stress of coronavirus scares. We must respect them and ensure that they are comfortable,” said Dr. Mutua.
“In Machakos, I am working on a system to provide them with the highest quality working environments and to compensate them for their work,” he added.
By Rachael Kilonzo
