Concern over high number of Covid-19 patients dying at home

The Ministry of Health on Tuesday raised alarm over the dangers of Covid-19 patients staying, and possibly dying, in their homes instead of checking into isolation centres upon infection.

This came as it emerged that 15 out of the 50 deaths, accounting for 30%, were recorded at various homes in the country, majority of them being in Mombasa County.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe revealed that Nairobi leads Mombasa in the number of coronavirus cases, 470 and 331 respectively, but that the Coastal city takes the top spot in the number of deaths.

According to CS Kagwe, Mombasa has so far recorded 27 deaths while the country’s capital trails with 20 out of the 50 total deaths.

This, he credited to the high number of a section of Mombasa residents testing positive for Covid-19 and opting to remain home instead of seeking medical assistance.

The CS hence warned members of the public from taking care of their relatives who contract Covid-19 at home as they also face the risk of infection and possible death.

“We have been explaining that people must not be kept at home, you must leave your house…if you die at home, what it means is that the rate of infection and the rate of mortality is going to be a lot higher than had the person been infected by somebody who is almost asymptomatic,” said CS Kagwe.

“So I think we should make it clear that the rising deaths in Mombasa is essentially people dying at home…and we want to urge that if a person is unwell, please take them to hospital. Because if they’re unwell and you’re the one who is looking after them, then chances are that you can yourself die.”