41 staff members test positive for COVID-19 at Pumwani Maternity Hospital

Acting Health DG, Dr Patrick Amoth on Tuesday, July 14, announced that 41 staff workers at the Pumwani Maternity hospital tested positive for COVID-19.

While assessing the situation outside the hospital, Dr Amoth said out of the 290 staff that were tested, 19 are healthcare workers, while 22 are support staff.

Dr Amoth also stated an isolation centre would be created for staff who would not have met the criteria to self-isolate at home.

“Further, we have agreed that beginning today, we’ll have an isolation centre dedicated for staff of the hospital at the school of nursing for those who may not meet the criteria for home-based isolation," said Der. Amoth.

However, the acting Health DG assured Kenyans who want to visit the facility that the hospital is safe.

“The hospital is safe, the staff who are working here are properly trained and we’ll continue to give them support in terms of capacity building and proper gear,” added Dr. Amoth.

Speaking during COVID-19 daily briefings on Monday, health CS Mutahi Kagwe said that mass testing was being conducted at the hospital after a section of Kenyans raised concerns. 

CS Kagwe said a decision to close the hospital would be made after mass testing is done.

“The situation will be assessed by the medics and so far, we have been able to isolate everybody and I know there's mass testing that has been able to be done in the entire hospital. We were able to isolate two more yesterday. So far it is not necessary to close the hospital," said CS Kagwe.