Today I'm a livid health worker. A patient comes to hospital, downplays her symptoms and blatantly lies about her travel history during triage. By the time the attending clinician thinks of COVID19, a bunch of unsuspecting health workers are already exposed. #CoronaUpdate
These health workers are then put into a 2 week quarantine. The remaining colleagues now have to do longer longer shifts to bridge the deficit, keep in mind the fact that we have no idea how many more COVID19 cases are going to pop up soon. We cannot afford a deficit.
The exposed health workers could potentially be infected from the encounter, they also have family at home that is now at risk and have to be alienated from their loved one for a minimum of 2 weeks.
Kenyans, we health workers are not complaining about being out here in the "war zone", that is our vocation, we took an oath to fulfill it. But we need your help, when you come to hospital be TRUTHFUL. When you are asked about your symptoms/travel history, provide these in detail
Same thing if you're at home/work, if you have a cough, shortness of breath, fevers and a travel history, isolate yourself call the emergency toll-free number and you will be guided on the steps to follow. Be mindful of everybody.
You may recover but someone out there that you knowingly exposed may not be lucky.
