This archive report was first published on 11 May 2020.
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread, the Kenyan government is taking steps to protect healthcare workers and patients in hospitals. According to Health Director General Patrick Amoth, patients will soon be required to undergo Covid-19 testing before being admitted to a hospital.
Speaking at Afya House on Monday, Dr. Amoth emphasized the importance of this measure, stating that it will not only protect frontline healthcare workers but also other patients admitted to the hospital.
"And it is because of this that the ministry together with the case management team we are reviewing our guidelines to make it possible for everyone admitted into facilities to be able to have a Covid-19 test as a standard test or as part of the admission procedure," Dr. Amoth said.
Dr. Amoth also noted the death of a 33-year-old man who died as a result of coronavirus, the first reported death in the 30-39 age group. This group has the highest number of asymptomatic cases and has never had a mortality since the disease was reported in the country more than two months ago.
"In the last 48 hours or so for the first time we had someone aged between 30 to 39 years dying. A 33-year-old gentleman passed on. Remember that despite this group of people being the highest number having asymptomatic cases we have never had a mortality," Dr. Amoth explained.
