7 Kenyans Working at Mombasa Port Contract Covid-19

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has confirmed that seven Kenyans working at the Mombasa port have so far tested positive for the coronavirus disease.

The seven include four KPA employees and three contracted cleaners working at the port, according to acting KPA Managing Director Rashid Salim. 

Out of the seven patients, two have lost their lives while the remaining are presently admitted to the Coast Provincial General Hospital and are responding well to medication.

“Unfortunately, we have since lost two members of staff to the disease while all those who had contacts with the patients have been identified and are being monitored in quarantine within Mombasa,” Salim said in a statement on Tuesday.

One of the KPA employees who succumbed to the bug is 59-year-old James Oyugi who had traveled from Mombasa to Siaya on April 5th. It was not discovered he was suffering from Covid-19 until after he died on April 10th at a private hospital in Siaya. The other employee was identified as Ms. Ursula Buluma, who died at Mombasa Hospital on April 2nd.

Salim added that the company has put in place several measures aimed at combating the spread of Covid-19 including mounting 107 handwashing points and sanitizer dispensers at all entry points, offices and operation areas. All workers at the port are also being provided with face masks.

 “We now have screen notices at the port entrances especially at gate 24 which prompt everyone to wear a mask before entering the port compound,” said Salim.

An isolation facility has also been set up at Bandari Clinic to temporarily hold suspected patients before they are picked by public health officers.

“The management has also released staff above 58 years of age and those with pre-medical conditions to work from respective homes in order to avoid crowds at the workplace in line with the government circular,” he added.

On Tuesday, the Health Ministry said KPA is one of the targeted areas in the upcoming mass testing which will see 12,000 people around the country tested. The ministry said 1,000 testing kits have been deployed to KPA.