This archive report was first published on 7 May 2020.
Kenya's Ministry of Health is grappling with a growing concern over non-hospital deaths from Covid-19, which has seen the country's confirmed cases reach 607 as of May 7, 2020.
Health Director-General Patrick Amoth warned that there could be a rise in coronavirus infections in communities where non-hospital deaths are occurring, citing cases in Mombasa and Eastleigh.
According to the Ministry of Health, 25 more infections were reported on May 7, 2020, from 632 samples tested, while seven more persons were discharged, bringing the total recoveries to 197. The number of deaths reached 29 after three more people succumbed.
Dr Amoth emphasized that some of the deaths happened away from hospital facilities, pointing to the extent of community spread that is already underway. This, he said, undermines the containment measures taken by the government to stop the spread of the virus.
“Deaths at the community level are a big concern to us. Thursday we had deaths in Mombasa at the community level. In Eastleigh, we also had another case. Deaths happening at this level means that these people have a severe form of the disease. They are more symptomatic and heavy shedders of the virus,” Dr Amoth said.
He appealed to individuals who are not feeling well and have signs of Covid-19 to get in touch with the authorities so that they can be attended to.
A study published in the ‘‘Journal of Hospital Infection’’ last month concluded that severely affected patients may have higher viral loads and are more likely to spread it to others.
Health Chief Administrative Secretary Rashid Aman also reiterated that the government’s latest stringent measures, including lockdowns in Nairobi's Eastleigh and Mombasa’s Old Town, were aimed at protecting lives.
