Team unveils strategy to ward off coronavirus

The government has roped in all counties in its efforts to prepare for any coronavirus infection.

An inter-ministerial committee in charge of getting the country ready on Sunday also announced that Sh10 million more will be released to Kenyan students stranded in Wuhan, China, the epicentre of the outbreak.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, who chairs the committee, said a proposal to evacuate the students was still on the table.

“We will consult and deliberate on the risks involved,” he said.

Previous disbursement

Previously, the government had disbursed Sh1.3 million to the students.

The committee held its first meeting on Sunday following an executive order that formed it.

Its members are the Health CS, Information Communication Technology Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru, Foreign Affairs CS Raychelle Omamo, Defence CS Monica Juma, Government Spokesperson Cyrus Oguna, Isiolo Governor Mohammed Kuti who chairs governors’ health committee and other technical experts.

Mr Kagwe said the committee has also resolved to engage neighbouring countries to expand surveillance.

“We will be monitoring all points of entry, not just airports but also those in Busia working with our regional neighbours, especially East Africa, to pool resources for this purpose,” he said.

Certify travelers

Kagwe said it may be crucial to certify travellers coming to Kenya before they leave their home countries.

“If we can get medical certification of people, that will be very helpful,” said Kagwe.

Almost 86,000 people have been infected globally with Thailand and the United States reporting their first deaths from the disease.

In Britain, 12 more patients have tested positive for coronavirus, taking the total number of UK cases to 35.

Italy reported a major surge in cases of the the disease, with numbers quickly climbing into the hundreds.

The Italian government has responded by slapping travel restrictions in the north of the country.

A number of towns have been locked down, with very limited numbers of people being allowed in or out.

Kenya has had 17 suspected cases which were tested but turned negative. However, the resumption of flights between Kenya and China last week caused anxiety.

The court has ordered the State to trace and monitor all the 239 passengers who arrived aboard the China Southern Airline.

The airline later suspended the flights.

“We did not need a court order to do this, as a government we already had this in place,” said Kagwe.

He said in the wake of reports that the virus was spreading in countries other than China, the government would work with the World Health Organisation to find the best approach to miminise the risks.

“We have seen cases rising in Italy and Iran, so we must adjust to this new reality,” he said.

Kagwe said counties will be required to develop emergency centres which will be managed at level four and five hospitals.

“With the turn of events, if indeed, God forbid, that this disease is detected in the country, it does not guarantee that it will be in Nairobi,” he said.

Health workers

The ministry had earlier confirmed that 615 health workers have been trained on how to tackle the disease as well as preparation of a 120-ward facility at Mbagathi Hospital in Nairobi as one of the isolation centres. The other is the 11-bed-capacity isolation ward at Kenyatta National Hospital.

“The executive order gave us one week to have the Mbagathi hospital running, and we will invite you to see for yourself,” said Kagwe. The CS gave three emergency numbers: 0800 721316, 0733 353535 and 0729 471 414 through which Kenyans can inform the Health ministry on the virus.