This archive report was first published on 3 July 2020.
Kenya: Virus to Continue Taking Toll on Health Sector for Six Months ¶
Published on July 3, 2020
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the Covid-19 pandemic will continue putting pressure on the health sector in Kenya for the next six months.
Speaking at a virtual press conference, WHO Country Representative Rudi Eggers emphasized the dangers of letting the disease run rampant, saying, "It's dangerous to let the disease run rampant because deaths will rise exponentially."
Kenya, which had been praised for its early lockdowns, is now planning to reopen amid rising infections. Dr. Eggers noted that the country is improving in its readiness and expanding its readiness, but sustained decline, reduced infections, and deaths are what will show success.
The WHO has advised that easing restrictions should be tailored to physical, social, cultural, political, and economic contexts, and to specific groups and workplaces where solutions can be created that are proportionate to risk.
Dr. Eggers also highlighted the importance of removing measures that have the greatest local impact first, then gradually extending this removal to broader geographic areas, considering the national epidemiology and priorities.
The European Union's Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department (Echo) has granted WHO Sh270 million (2.3 million Euros) to train front-line health workers and strengthen rapid response and clinical teams in all counties.
Kenya's Ministry of Health has predicted that the pandemic will peak in the country between August and September, with the number of cases expected to rise exponentially if the virus is not contained.
