Is malaria a risk factor for severe covid-19 infection?
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- June 2, 2021
About 3 weeks ago, Kisumu was the first town in Kenya to record a case of the Indian COVID-19 variant. Since then, the Lakeside counties of Kisumu, Homabay and Siaya have been recording many positive cases of Covid-19 as compared to other counties.
Between Tuesday and Saturday last week, Kisumu had 330 cases out of the national tally of 1942 positive cases while Siaya accounted for 245 of the cases. However, there has been a decline in the positive cases in the past two days with the counties recoding a total of 17 positive cases (Kisumu – 5, Siaya – 2 and Homabay – 10).
Despite this, the scientists at Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu have conducted an 18-month study dubbed “Malcov Study” which began earlier this year in January and the patients with both Malaria and Covid-19 was recruited later in February. The main aim of the Malcov Study is to find out whether Malaria is a risk factor for severe COVID-19 infection. The study will also be very vital in how COVID-19 cases are managed in regions where Malaria infection is very rampant.
“When Covid started last year, it highlighted risk groups. What we seek to find out is whether covid-19 would be severe in malaria-endemic area,” said Dr Hellen Barsosio, a Clinical Research Scientist, Malcov Study.
The results of this 18-month Malcov Study are expected to be out by mid next year. The results from the study will give proper directions to the medics in Malaria endemic regions on how to manage the COVID-19 better where Malaria is prevalent.
Dr Hellen Barsosio added that there was a need to know the direction of severity and COVID-19 prevention strategy and its behaviours on someone who has both Malaria and Covid-19.
