Shalom Hospital Sealed Off After Covid-19 Deaths, Infections

Shalom Hospital in Athi River has been sealed off after a number of patients succumbed to Covid-19.

While announcing the shutdown on Saturday, Machakos Governor Dr. Alfred Mutua said other patients and health workers at the facility also tested positive for the virus.

“The hospital is now a quarantine facility and therefore no one is allowed to get in or leave the hospital,” Governor Mutua announced.

“The process of screening and testing for COVID-19 may take several days and has already started. Further decisions will be undertaken according to the evaluation of the relevant agencies involved in the provision of health care and combating COVID-19.”

“I urge all wananchi to be patient as we ensure all health facilities are safe so as to avoid hospital-based infections that were witnessed in places like New York and several Italian cities,” he added.

Mutua said the decision to close the medical facility was made after consultations with Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council and the Health Ministry.

He did not disclose the number of infections and fatalities recorded at the privately-owned hospital.