This archive report was first published on 6 May 2020.
On May 6, 2020, Machakos Level 5 Hospital received approval to test coronavirus cases, according to Governor Alfred Mutua.
Speaking to Citizen TV, Dr. Mutua emphasized the county's testing capacity, stating that they can conduct 330-400 tests in a day. This is made possible by their ability to perform 33 tests per 'run,' which takes approximately an hour and a half.
When asked about his confidence in the testing kits, Dr. Mutua expressed willingness to test unconventional samples, citing Tanzanian President John Magufuli's approach. He jokingly suggested testing cows, chickens, and even mangoes to gauge the effectiveness of the kits.
Dr. Mutua also cautioned against reopening restaurants too soon, emphasizing the need to test all kitchen staff, security personnel, and dishwashers before allowing restaurants to operate. He expressed personal distrust in the cleanliness of restaurants without proper testing and retesting.
Given the rising number of positive cases in the country, Dr. Mutua stated that a total lockdown is not feasible at this time. He cited the country's struggling economy, which often struggles to feed people during normal times, making it impossible to do so during a pandemic.
