1.What is Corona Virus?
Covid-19 (Coronavirus Disease -2019) is a respiratory infection caused by a common virus that causes flu and pneumonia.
2. How does Covid-19 spread?
COVID- 19 spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread through touching contaminated surfaces and touching the face,eyes,nose or mouth.
3. What are the signs and symptoms of Covid-19?
Fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, body aches, fatigue, diarrhoea, headache
4. What are the potential risk factors associated with Covid-19?
Being in close contact with someone known to have COVID-19, or living or visiting an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19.
5. How long does the coronavirus survive in open air?
Coronavirus is a large virus and will mostly drop and settle on surfaces but with certain conditions it can survive in the air for upto 45 minutes.
6. What should I check for if I suspect myself?
Check your temperature to see if it’s normal. If abnormal (>37.5) contact the nearest health facility for assistance.
7. What can I do to prevent the spread of Covid-19?
- Avoid close contact with people who are infected.
- Avoid touching your Mouth, Eyes and Nose ( M.E.N.) with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Wear a face mask when leaving your house at all times
- Cover your cough or sneeze into a flexed elbow or a tissue, then throw the tissue in the garbage.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surface
- Keep social distance of at least 2 metres from people with flu-like symptoms.
- Avoiding shaking hands, hugging or kissing with people
- Stay at home and avoid travel when you have flu-like symptom
- If you are having symptoms, please contact your nearest facility preferably by phone
- Early detection and treatment can contribute greatly to survival of the patient.
Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) embarked on screening of COVID-19 suspected cases by setting up screening points at all Hospital entry points. This measure ensures that all suspected cases can be identified at the entry points to MTRH and in so doing shore up Control and Suppression of Coronavirus.
The screening is a control measure since every individual entering the Hospital premises, be they patients, staff, visitors and students, all of them are checked to ensure they do not get in, mingle with other populations in the Hospital and spread infections. The screening exercise is MTRH’s number one (1) Containment, Control and Suppression measure of Coronavirus.
MTRH is a COVID-19 Testing Centre. It has a high-tech COBAS 8800 Machine capable of running 900 samples using Reverse Transcription PCR Technology in a span of 24 hours. The Centre is the nerve of the Hospital where samples from twenty two (25) Counties and Private Hospitals in Western Kenya are tested.
The Testing process uses high end information Technology procedure where Test results are thereafter communicated to the National Database at the Ministry of Health Headquarters in Nairobi for release alongside other test results from other regions of the Country.
- MTRH is monitoring the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak from both the National and Global perspective and is taking measures to ensure that we are prepared to manage cases referred for testing and care. Through the combined proficiency and committed efforts of all members of staff, the Hospital has taken various measures to contain Manage, Control/Suppress the Pandemic.
- A Multi-disciplinary Taskforce is in place to consistently monitor the COVID-19 outbreak and to make recommendations to the Hospital Management around Prevention, Mitigation and the Management of any COVID-19 cases. The Thematic Teams in place are; Laboratory and Testing; Treatment; Nursing Care Services; Infrastructure and Servicescape; Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance; Mental Health and Farewell Home Services; Human Resource & Logistics and Communication. Through the taskforce and the thematic teams, various protocols have been developed and shared with County Governments and Private Hospitals.
- Training of frontline workers has been a key area of focus over the past 2 months. Health workers, Police Officers, Security Agents, County Administration from MTRH, NOREB Counties and Private Hospitals have been taken through infection prevention control, case management, epidemiology and diseases surveillance, mental health aspects of covid-19 and coping mechanisms.
- On 15th March 2020, MTRH commenced COVID-19 testing through it’s AMPATH Care Laboratory which has capability to test over 900 persons per day. This laboratory serves patients, frontline healthcare workers, and other clients from the region.
- MTRH is monitoring the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak from both the National and Global perspective and is taking measures to ensure that we are prepared to manage cases referred for testing and care. Through the combined proficiency and committed efforts of all members of staff, the Hospital has taken various measures to contain Manage, Control/Suppress the Pandemic.
You can reach us through MTRH COVID-19 Hotline on 0110052150 for any enquiries.