PHOTO:

Catherine Mwaura on Worcester leaves Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital in Northborough, MA after 1.5 months battle with Covid-19. PIC BY COURTESY

By:

Harrison Maina

Posted:

Aug,03-2020 10:47:24

First published June 22. UPDATED: JULY 22, 8.13 PM.

WORCESTER, MA__As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to ravage many states in the US, Kenyans in the Diaspora have not been spared either. One Kenyan mother in Worcester near Boston spent almost two months in hospital, of which for two weeks she was intubated in an ICU. The jubilation of healthcare workers and her community that marked her discharge last Thursday has settled and now the economic reality of her absence has kicked in leading to a pledge for a financial assistance.

Catherine Mwaura was fell ill on May 17 and was rushed by an ambulance from her home in Worcester straight into an ICU at the St. Vincent's hospital. She spent the next several weeks intubated in the intensive care unit fighting for her dear life, until mid-June when she was transferred to the Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital in Northborough.

"I don't know how I contracted the virus but I suspect it was either at a homecare agencies visit or nursing home that I work for. I was taking care of so many people with the virus there and a good number painfully passed away under my helpless watch with my colleagues," she told Ajabu Media on a phone interview from her home in Worcester.

"I did not have any symptoms all this time I was working in the two locations. We were taking all the precautions necessary including a full protective suit when working with the Covid-19 patients. I just felt extremely sick one morning and called emergency," she added.

Jubilant doctors and nurses at the Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital in Northborough escort Catherine Mwaura as she leaves the hospital following hard fought for recovery from Covid-19. PIC BY COURTESY.

Mwaura said that, she then called her landlord and requested her to leave the main door open for the emergency crews that were coming to pick her up.

The last thing she remembers was "the ambulance taking off from my house. I was unconscious for many days but I thank God I was able to recover."

Luckily, on Tuesday last week, Mwaura was discharged from the hospital and is now recuperating at home.

However, the harrowing ordeal has left the mother of two in economic shambles, a condition that has prompted friends and well wishers to organize a fundraiser on Sunday August 2 towards her welfare.

"We were just shocked at how this disease affected Dr. Mwaura. She was so close to the verge of death but God is great she has just managed to fight and recover. Now as a community, we thought it is good that we come together and raise some funds for her welfare as she is windowed with no one else to help pay her bills for close to the two months she was hospitalized," said Rev. Ben Njuru on a telephone interview.

The pastor said that a fundraising committee is coordinating the effort that will be held at the True Vine Ministries church at 65 Southbridge Street from 2pm to 6pm under strict social distancing protocols.

"In order to observe the CDC and the state's guidelines for community events and social distancing, the event will be spread over a 4 hour period to enable visitors come and go on a rolling basis," read a message from the committee released to various community media and social media platforms.

The corona virus disease has affected many Kenyans in Boston and the diaspora at large, causing at least 10 known deaths in Boston alone so far, though many have recovered.

In the motherland, the rate of infection has kept on rising steadily despite social distancing rules and end of lockdown for movements to and from Nairobi, Mombasa and Mandera. Currently, there are 13,771 cases of Covid-19 in Kenya with the death toll teaching at 238 as of Monday. 5,616 have recovered so far according to media reports citing health Cabinet secretary, Mutahi Kagwe.

However, in the diaspora, data for specific Kenyans who have contracted the virus is difficult to compile as majority of victims shy away from disclosing to other community members, although the cases are reported within local jurisdictions.

As for Dr. Mwaura, she told friends that she does not mind others learning of her predicament hoping she can serve as an example to others who claim Covid-19 does not exist or is a political tool that they need to take it seriously and do everything possible to protect themselves.

She added that she does not know how she contracted the virus despite doing everything possible to protect her including wearing a mask, frequently washing and sanitizing hands.

"This disease affects people in different ways and you can never know how it will hit your body. Best thing is to protect from contracting it! It can affect and cause long-term damage not just in your lungs, but also in other body parts and functions including blood clots that may lead to stroke, high blood pressure and more," Dr. Mwaura told Ajabu Media on a phone interview.

"I have no words to thank the medical staff at St. Vincent's Hospital in Worcester and Whittier Rehab for the care and love they gave me until I walked out to return home," she said. She also thanked friends in the Kenyan community who prayed for her recovery and who have called her on the phone with supportive messages.

Mwaura was one of the selfless Kenyans who made spirited efforts to save the now dormant New England Kenyan Welfare Association (Nekwa) when it encountered extreme difficulties in its efforts to cultivate a united community platform from, where current and future generations in the diaspora would serve in their civic duties.

"We are urging the Kenyan community and other well wishers to come and help this mother who has gone through and extremely difficult ordeal. She has been actively involved in many ways to improve the Kenyan community in New England in various capacities including as a church elder, and member of different community organizations. This is the time for us to stand with her," urged pastor Njuru.

"Those who cant make it for the physical event can donate through cash app and all donations will be highly appreciated," he added.

Donations by Cashapp are to be directed to: $WinnieNjoroge (7742792697) or
Catherine Mwaura $CathyMwaura (508-371-5614).

For more information, contact Rev. Ben Njuru at: 508-713-3572.

EDITORS, NOTE: This version corrects the duration of time Mwaura was hospilatized to 1.5 months.

Source:

AJABU AFRICA NEWS