Covid-19 testing to begin in prisons after cases reported at Industrial Area prison

The Ministry of Health is set to begin testing for Covid-19 in prisons following reports that two inmates at Industrial Area Remand Prison have contracted the coronavirus.

In a press briefing on Saturday, Health Ministry CAS Dr. Rashid Aman said the Ministry had received reports on the two cases, adding that prisons are one of the high risk areas.

“These two cases in Industrial Area Remand Prison I’m certain that our Emergency Operation Centre and Rapid Response Team must have been alerted and are aware of it. The correctional facilities are one of those high risk areas we have identified because of their nature and closeness,” said Dr. Aman.

He said it is part of the Ministry’s plan to begin mass testing in prisons across the country.

“Part of our testing is to get into these facilities, work with the prison department in order to be able to determine whether there is transmission of Covid-19 within these facilities and then put in all those necessary measures that we require to protect the inmates,” stated the Health CAS.

The number of coronavirus cases in Kenya has risen to 649 after 28 more patients tested positive for Covid-19.

Out of the 28 new cases, 10 are from Mombasa, nine from Nairobi, four from Migori, two from Kajiado and one each in Machakos, Kiambu and Homa Bay.

In a press briefing on Saturday, Health Ministry CAS Dr. Rashid Aman said the 28 new cases — 24 Kenyans and 4 foreigners from Tanzania — were confirmed following the testing of 1611 samples.