AMPATH Responds to Increase in COVID-19 Cases
Over the past several weeks the number of COVID-19 cases has increased sharply in Kenya, including within AMPATH’s service area in western Kenya. On Tuesday, June 9, the Kenya Ministry of Health stated, “According to the experts, our epidemiological curve is rising sharply in many regions, implying that, going forward, we are likely to record increasing numbers of positives and more people requiring clinical management.”
MTRH staff assist with testing of truck drivers at the Kenyan border.
Kenya is reporting 3,094 cases of the novel coronavirus with more than 100,000 tests completed country-wide. Eighty-nine people are reported to have died as a result of the virus with 1,048 reportedly recovered. Cases are being reported in 38 of Kenya’s 47 counties.
On Saturday, June 6, President Uhuru Kenyatta addressed the nation and discussed various scenarios and projections related to relaxing the containment measures in place. He stated that three thresholds must be met to lift restrictions: infections must be contained and headed downward; the health care system must be prepared to take on a surge in infections; and the capacity for surveillance and contact tracing must be in place. He used Busia, a county in AMPATH’s catchment area, as an example and stated that their 34-bed isolation unit was already full. Many truck drivers have tested positive for COVID-19 at Kenya’s borders.
President Kenyatta called for an Extra-Ordinary session of the National and County Government Co-ordinating Summit on Wednesday, June 10 to discuss the effectiveness of the containment measures, to help facilitate at least 300 isolation beds in every county and to develop time-bound protocols for re-opening the economy.
He also announced the following actions:
· Dusk-to-dawn curfew extended for 30 days, but modified to extend from 9 p.m.-4 a.m.
· Ban on all gatherings extended for 30 days
· Progressive return to normalcy in the education sector beginning on September 1
· Creation of an Inter-Faith Council to develop protocols for re-opening places of worship
· Direction to the Ministry of Transport to develop protocols to guide resumption of local air travel
· Cessation of movement into and out of Nairobi Metro area, Mombasa and Mandera extended for 30 days
· The end of the cessation of movement directive for the Eastleigh area of Nairobi, Mombasa Old Town and Kilifi and Kwale counties.
Truck drivers are tested at the western Kenya border.
Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) deployed a team of twenty COVID-19 frontline staff to assist in testing at the Malaba border in Busia County. The MTRH staff, working with colleagues from the Ministry of Health headquarters under Josephine Wahogo, took samples, ran tests and issued COVID attestation/certification to truck drivers and their assistants as appropriate.
MTRH Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Wilson K. Aruasa, MBS, also visited the team at Webuye (Bungoma County) to offer them moral support as they undertake this challenging assignment. Dr. Aruasa said MTRH is fulfilling the Government's mandate to control and suppress the virus to enable a return to normalcy.
On June 1, President Kenyatta recognized and awarded five staff members of MTRH, led by Dr. Aruasa, the inaugural Presidential Order of Service-Uzalendo Award for their exemplary work in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Daisy Korir, Dr. Nicholas Kirui, Silvia Kadima and Sr. Jackline Opondo also received the awards which are a testimony of the enormous work MTRH is doing to keep Kenyans safe.
During a meeting with MTRH and NOREB (North Rift Economic Block) to discuss the region's COVID-19 response and other health matters, the Cabinet Secretary of Health, Hon. Mutahi Kagwe, EGH, committed to support MTRH and the counties in enhancing the capacity to control, suppress and mitigate the pandemic within the region.