Kenyan Efforts to Contain and Prepare for COVID-19 Continue
Efforts continue throughout Kenya to contain the coronavirus while also preparing for a possible increase in cases. President Uhuru Kenyatta addressed the nation last weekend and credited determined mitigation measures for keeping the number of cases below expert projections while thanking Kenyans for their discipline and responsibility.
President Kenyatta also extended the travel restrictions into and out of the Nairobi metropolitan area and the counties of Kilifi, Kwale and Mombasa for an additional 21 days. The daily curfew throughout the country was extended for the same period. He announced an economic initiative called the National Hygiene Programme to employ workers to initially produce face masks with plans to expand in phases throughout the country.
“The key to returning to normal life is keeping our infection rates falling and raising our testing rates. So far, we have tested over seventeen thousand samples (as of 4/25) and are proceeding with mass targeted testing. This is giving our experts the data and insights to guide our policy decisions,” said President Kenyatta. Some restaurants were being allowed to reopen this week if they comply with health regulations including testing.
The AMPATH Plus Care Lab at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital continues to offer testing for people in western Kenya who have been assessed and meet the coronavirus case definition, but no additional cases have been identified in Uasin Gishu county. The majority of the cases continue to occur in Nairobi, Mombasa and the other areas where travel restrictions have been implemented. Throughout Kenya, there are now 411 confirmed cases and 21 people have died as a result of the virus with 150 patients with COVID-19 reported to have recovered as well. In Africa, 36,847 cases have been confirmed as of April 30.
Graphic: Kenya Ministry of Health
Worldwide demand is creating shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing commodities such as nasal swabs and reagents. This poses a challenge to all countries including Kenya. AMPATH Consortium members in North America continue to work with their Kenyan colleagues to explore procurement opportunities for equipment and supplies from any available source. Tumaini Innovation Center is exploring ways to utilize their 3D printer for PPE.
While continuing to provide critical clinical care at their home institutions, AMPATH’s Kenyan and North American faculty are also finding innovative ways to engage in training activities until conditions allow for resumption of normal travel and exchanges. Weekly education calls involving both Kenyan registrars and North American residents, case conferences, theory education and thesis and research advising have commenced and Moi University School of Medicine is exploring expanded e-learning possibilities for Kenyan registrars. AMPATH Consortium institutions have shared online curriculum related to COVID-19 and other specialties with their Kenyan colleagues.
Similarly, AMPATH’s research enterprise is adapting with many existing projects being redesigned or expanded to incorporate COVID-related research. The research program shares weekly research updates including new funding opportunities and research initiatives on the dedicated coronavirus page in the AMPATH website.
“Everyone throughout the AMPATH partnership is finding new ways to rise to the challenges created by this global health threat,” said Adrian Gardner, executive director of the AMPATH Consortium of North American partners. “While we may not return to ‘normal’ partnership operations in the near future, we look forward to emerging together with new innovations and perspectives created in response to this crisis,” he continued.