This archive report was first published on 21 April 2020.
On April 20, 2020, the world had witnessed over 165,000 COVID-19 cases and 14 lives had been lost in Kenya. Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe emphasized the importance of adequate oxygen supply in managing the disease.
Speaking during the Ministry of Health's daily briefings, Kagwe urged the National and County governments to settle debts owed to oxygen suppliers. He also appealed to those holding gas cylinders to return them to suppliers, so that they can be filled up.
"Facilities with such plants should make haste and repair what is not functional, but also do a quick cost-benefit analysis to ensure we get value for money," he said.
As the number of cases in the country jumped to 281 after 11 more people turned positive for COVID-19 on Monday, Kagwe announced the opening of a designated isolation and treatment facility for healthcare workers. The facility, based at the Kenyatta National Hospital, will offer both critical and basic care for the healthcare workers.
"This center is a product of collaboration between the MoH, the Rockefeller Foundation and AMREF," he said.
He assured that all costs incurred during treatment of healthcare workers will be paid by the government. While the Health CS did not reveal the number of medics who have so far contracted the virus, he said a doctor was among two people discharged from hospital Monday, raising the total number of people who have recovered in the country so far to 69.
