This archive report was first published on 27 July 2020.
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread, Kenya's counties are preparing for the worst-case scenario. In a memo seen by Kenya Insights, the Ministry of Health has ordered the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency to procure 100,000 Covid-19 body bags.
The bags, which are to be made of heavy-duty vinyl Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, are designed to be doubled-bagged and have an envelope zipper. They are to be 40 by 90 inches in size, with a thickness of 0.4 millimeters.
Already, some counties have started preparing public graveyards in readiness for an anticipated increase in Covid-19 related deaths. In Kisii, Siaya, and Kakamega, leaders have identified large swathes of land for the same.
According to a projection released by scientists, the country is likely to lose 620,500 people by next year February if no sufficient measures are taken and the virus hits its peak. The World Health Organization (WHO) director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has warned that there will be many more “body bags” if countries do not behave and focus on containing the pandemic.
“Now is the time for unity, for the international community to work together in solidarity to stop this virus and its shattering consequences. We do not want to record more deaths,” the WHO chief said.
