COVID-19 Cases Rising Again in Kenya

COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Kenya. Both the number of people testing positive and the test positivity rate increased over the last several weeks. Local government leaders, medical staff and trainees have been among those testing positive.

This rise in positive cases leads to additional admitted patients at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) and also to an increase in deaths throughout the country. Uasin Gishu County led the country with the most cases during one day last week. Since the start of the pandemic, 53,797 people have tested positive and 981 deaths are reported as a result of COVID-19.

Kenya eased many COVID-19 restrictions, but hospital and community leaders remind everyone to continue to follow the mitigation measures that can help stop the spread including wearing a mask, washing hands and keeping social distance.

Two of AMPATH’s North American team leaders have returned to Eldoret to work alongside their Kenyan colleagues. Kenya requires a negative COVID-19 test 96 hours before arrival but has lifted the two-week quarantine upon arrival. “It’s a good time to be here and provide a little bit of extra clinical support. Every clinical provider that is available to provide back-up is important,” said Dr. Caitrin Kelly, medicine team leader.

AMPATH’s clinics continue to operate at near normal levels, though return appointment times have been extended and longer supplies of medicines are provided.

Testing and PPE supplies continue to be available but are in limited quantities. The U.S. Government donated 200 ventilators to Kenya and AMPATH leaders have been working with the U.S. Embassy and other partners to secure needed training and accessories in order to deploy the machines to county hospitals.

Supportive care is available for COVID-19 patients at MTRH. AMPATH’s North American partners have also been sharing updated treatment protocols as they become available. One major challenge is that most insurance policies are not covering the cost of COVID-19 treatment. Additionally, the possibility of renewed shut downs is creating stress and concern among people who are already facing dire economic situations and food insecurity.

COVID-19 graphics inspired and conceived by youth at the Rafiki Centre for Excellence in Adolescent Health and created by the Arnhold Institute for Global Health at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.