300-bed isolation order ‘barely met’

Only seven counties have met the minimum requirement of 300 beds to isolate Covid-19 patients.

A report from the Ministry of Health on technical assistance to county governments for mitigation of Covid-19 pandemic showed that only nine counties had a total of 250 beds and above.

Nairobi led the pack with 1,085 followed by Mombasa (404), Machakos (371), Makueni (312), Garissa (310), Mandera (307) and Kakamega (301). Following closely were Kilifi (271) and Kisii (250).

The report, which was submitted the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Covid-19 Situation in Kenya, further noted that only 28 per cent of counties have a bed capacity over 200.

The report documented findings collaboratively assessed by the Technical Assistance Teams from the Health ministry and the county representatives as at August 6.

“Several counties have ongoing construction works to increase their health infrastructure to meet the minimum requirements within the short term (30 days) and medium to long term (90 days),” it said.

Lamu had the least number of beds at 13 followed by Bungoma (22), Kajiado (24), Samburu (27) and Tana River (37).