January 29, 2020

Summary

A male student arrived in the country from China, exhibiting coronavirus-like symptoms and was quarantined at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). Kenyans have raised concerns as to why the ministry hasn’t sought the passengers who were in the same flight with the suspected patient.

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Panic as Male Student is Quarantined at KNH over Suspected Coronavirus

Panic as Male Student is Quarantined at KNH over Suspected Coronavirus

A male student who arrived in the country from China, exhibiting coronavirus-like symptoms was yesterday quarantined at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).

According to the Ministry of Health, the patient arrived in Nairobi from China on Tuesday and medical practitioners are carrying out investigations to establish if indeed the patient is infected.
Health CS Sicily Kariuki has maintained that the issue remains a  “suspected case” until all the investigations and laboratory tests have been concluded.
“The surveillance system remains on high alert at all points of entry & health facilities & screening is being conducted to all those from affected countries,” CS Sicily Kariuk
The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has called on the Health Ministry to provide adequate protective gear.
“The first protection against the coronavirus is ensuring that health workers on the frontline of response are protected,” said Dr Ouma Oluga.
Kenyans have however taken to social media to condemn the government for what they are calling “lax” in handling the “suspected coronavirus case”. Concerns are being raised as to why the ministry hasn’t sought the passengers who were in the same flight with the suspected patient.
Below are some of the reactions shared on twitter under the trending hashtag; #CoronaVirusKenya
Demas Kiprono:  This #CoronaVirusKenya this is terrifying me. A proper response needs strategic and coordinated leadership and a well-oiled health sector. The horror stories coming from Wuhan are scary kabisa.
LexxiTheMediaGuru: Kenya has never been serious, how can they exclude only one person on a plane that was carrying hundreds of passengers given that the virus is an airborne they should have been given a check-up before leaving the Airport. #CoronaVirusKenya
BRIAN_MOGENI: While some security guards stationed at the Infectious Diseases Unit could be seen wearing face masks, patients and staff at the country’s largest referral facility mingled freely without any protective gear. Further, there were no government-led prevention #CoronaVirusKenya
 
RickyMozzart:Kenya airways always makes losses even if they don’t fly to China it won’t make a difference economically to them but can save Kenyans from the virus. But why hs the government not restricted flights to and from China? #CoronaVirusKenya
 
Abraham Deng Panchol: #Kenya has never been serious, how can they exclude only one person on a plane that was carrying hundreds of passengers given that the virus is an airborne they should have been given a check-up before leaving the Airport. #CoronaVirusKenya #coronavirus
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