Safely reopening and operating a primary healthcare facility after closure due to SARS-CoV-2 infection in a healthcare worker – Nairobi, Kenya, 2020

Authors

  • Linus K. Ndegwa US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Daniel Kimani US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Mercy Njeru US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Tai-Ho Chen US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Catherine Macharia US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Annalice Ouma Nairobi County Department of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Frankline O. Mboya US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Julius Oliech US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Titus K. Kwambai US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Ahmed Liban US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Immaculate Mutisya US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Rebecca Wangusi PACT Endeleza, Center for International Health, Education, and Biosecurity (CIHEB), Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
  • Marc Bulterys US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Taraz Samandari US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi, Kenya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3396/ijic.v20.22998

Keywords:

infection prevention and control, healthcare worker, primary healthcare facility, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

The first COVID-19 case in a healthcare worker in Kenya was reported on March 30, 2020, in Nairobi, leading to a 41-day closure of the health facility where he had worked. We assessed infection prevention and control (IPC) activities and implemented recommendations to re-open and operate the facility. We conducted a risk assessment of the facility in April 2020 using a modified World Health Organization, six-element IPC facility risk assessment tool. IPC recommendations were made, and a follow-up assessment of their implementation was conducted in July 2020. Breaches in IPC measures included poor ventilation in most service delivery areas; lack of physical distancing between patients; inadequate COVID-19 information, education, and communication materials; lack of standard operating procedures on cleaning and disinfecting high-touch areas; insufficient IPC training; inadequate hand hygiene facilities; insufficient personal protective equipment supplies; and an inactive IPC committee. Strengthening IPC measures is critical to prevent healthcare facility closures.

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Published

2024-10-28

How to Cite

Ndegwa, L. K., Kimani, D., Njeru, M., Chen, T.-H., Macharia, C., Ouma, A., … Samandari, T. (2024). Safely reopening and operating a primary healthcare facility after closure due to SARS-CoV-2 infection in a healthcare worker – Nairobi, Kenya, 2020. International Journal of Infection Control, 20. https://doi.org/10.3396/ijic.v20.22998

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