This archive report was first published on 11 July 2020.
July 11, 2020 - The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to Kenya's healthcare system, but Kwale County is taking proactive steps to prepare for a potential surge in cases.
According to Health Chief Administrative Secretary Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, the county has exceeded the minimum 300 isolation bed capacity required for each county, with 424 beds and 10 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capable beds. Additionally, 13 ventilators are available to support patients in critical condition.
Dr. Mwangangi attributed the county's preparedness to the close collaboration between the county government and the national Ministry of Health. The Ministry has donated an additional five ventilators to Kwale County to support its efforts.
"We recognize that sustained cooperation and collaboration between the two levels of government, including the public, is very important in this fight against COVID-19," Dr. Mwangangi said.
With 139 cases reported since the first local infection, Kwale County has seen a decline in cases, with only nine active cases currently under home-based care and none under institution-based isolation.
Dr. Mwangangi noted that the county has learned valuable lessons in the past four months since the first case was reported, and that most residents are increasingly complying with containment measures.
"We have done everything possible, and we will continue putting more measures to ensure the rate of infections continues to decline," Governor Salim Mvurya said.
Dr. Mwangangi urged members of the public to take individual responsibility to ensure the pandemic is contained, especially after President Uhuru Kenyatta lifted the cessation of movement containment measure imposed on high-risk counties.
