Government Makes U-Turn on Coronavirus Drill, Calls Off the Exercise

The government has called off coronavirus simulation exercise which was to take place today, Sunday, March 15, at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Mbagathi hospital.

This comes after the Ministry of Health on Friday confirmed the first coronavirus case in the country.

Government Spokesperson in a tweet said that the exercise is no longer necessary considering there already is a patient being attended to at the facility.

FILE PHOTO – Medical staff carry a box as they walk at the Jinyintan hospital, where the patients with pneumonia caused by the new strain of coronavirus are being treated, in Wuhan, Hubei province, China January 10, 2020. Picture taken January 10, 2020. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo CHINA OUT

“Simulation Exercise at KNH & Mbagathi – Considering there already is a patient being attended to at the facility, the previously planned simulation exercise is no longer necessary & has since been called off.” Reads part of the tweet.

The drill was to imitate and demonstrate the real case scenario of a coronavirus infection and response from the health team.

The government also announced that it has called off a media update that was to take place at Mbagathi hospital due to unavoidable circumstances.

“Further to our update, even the media update scheduled at Mbagathi has also been called off.”

“To the esteemed members of the press: This function has been postponed due to unavoidable circumstances. You will be informed of further updates going forward. Insolvencies are highly regretted.”

Oguna added that the government will continue to provide updates on the deadly virus.

The Ministry of Health on Saturday said it has managed to trace 22 people who were in contact with the first Kenyan coronavirus victim.

The 22 are currently in isolation at the KNH Isolation unit and Mbagathi hospital.

The Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry Of Health, Mercy Mwangangi, said that the samples from the 22 had been taken for testing.

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