This archive report was first published on 20 April 2020.
On Monday, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe announced that the Pharmacy and Poisons Board has implemented a stringent, expedited accreditation mechanism for Covid-19 test kits, reducing the approval process from three months to 48 hours.
According to Kagwe, the new mechanism is part of Kenya's adoption of the 'test, isolate, treat, trace' mantra to defeat the coronavirus pandemic.
The authorization of four additional test kits has boosted the country's testing capacity, enabling the Ministry of Health to roll out mass testing in the next two weeks.
So far, 13,872 people have been tested since the first case was reported on March 13, but the number is short of the anticipated target due to global supply challenges.
Meanwhile, a special isolation and treatment facility for healthcare workers has been set up at Kenyatta National Hospital, with the government covering all costs.
Two doctors have contracted the virus, with one being discharged after full recovery and another receiving treatment.
Health CS Kagwe has also appealed to national and county health facilities to clear any debts owed to oxygen suppliers and return oxygen cylinders to ensure adequate supply of medical oxygen.
As of now, 281 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in the country.
