This archive report was first published on 7 June 2020.
Kenya's Ministry of Health is set to adopt new guidelines for the release of Covid-19 patients from institutionalised isolation, allowing them to receive home-based care after 10 days.
According to Acting Health Director Patrick Amoth, the move is based on World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, which indicate that after the 10th day, the virus is likely to be in a non-infectious state.
Dr Amoth explained that the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test used to diagnose Covid-19 cannot determine whether the virus is infectious or not, but research has shown that the virus may not be infectious after day 10 of isolation.
For patients to qualify for home-based care, they must have a Covid-19 positive report from the laboratory, be asymptomatic or have mild forms of the disease, and have no underlying illnesses.
They must also have adequate space, preferably a separate room from the rest of the household members, where they will stay during the isolation or quarantine.
Dr Amoth emphasized the importance of adhering to infection-control guidelines, including washing hands, sanitising, and wearing masks, and advised patients on other medications to continue taking them with the help of healthcare workers and community health volunteers.
Training and sensitisation of community health volunteers will be done to ensure that patients at home do not pose a risk to the family and the public.
Published on June 7, 2020
