The government has launched the home based isolation and care guidelines for Covid-19 patients. Speaking at Afya House during the Covid-19 daily briefing, Health CAS Rashid Aman said due to the rising Covid-19 cases in Kenya, it’s increasingly becoming untenable to isolate all patients in the health facilities for management and care, “Protocol has been developed to provide a solution in the management of the increasing numbers and anticipated surge in Covid-19 cases,” he said. The implementation of the guidelines is set to begin immediately.
He noted that 78% of infected people admitted in hospitals are either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and can be managed at home provided the laid down procedures are followed. On Sunday, Health DG Dr Patrick Amoth said research has shown after 10 days under health care and treatment, Covid-19 patients are not as infectious and can be released to finish treatment and care at home.
The guidelines are available on the Ministry of Health website and touch on all key issues such as eligibility, care procedure, medical monitoring, referral system to health facilities when the need arises, criteria for detecting recovery, community participation among others. CAS Aman said implementation will be done under supervision of medical and public health officials, “Community health volunteers will be vital in the daily assessment of home based patients,” he added.
57,000 Community health volunteers are being trained and healthcare workers are to be trained in the next week. On home based care in informal settlements where households share small spaces, Aman said households will require certification from health institutions within the community in order to implement the guidelines, “Institutions that meet the recommendations of providing such care,” he said, adding that Nyumba Kumi structures will also play a critical role.
