In the last twenty four hours, a total of seventy four (74)samples from suspected cases of Coronavirus have been tested in various laboratories, namely the National Influenza Center, KEMRI Nairobi and KEMRI-Welcome Trust Kilifi.
Out of the 74 samples, Kenya’ government has received confirmation of three people who have tested positive for Coronavirus Disease. This brings the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kenya to 31. These 31 confirmed cases are spread out in five counties namely, Nairobi, Kajiado, Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale.
All the three new confirmed cases are Kenyans, females aged between 30 years and 61 years. The three cases are close contacts of previously confirmed cases.
Two are from Kilifi and one from Nairobi. The new patients have already been taken into isolation in the government facilities, and are being monitored by the medical personnel, together with others who previously turned positive.
Tracing of contacts for the new patients, as well as those of the previous patients is ongoing. The total number of close contacts that we have so far been monitoring stands at 1029.
Out of this number, 123 of them have been discharged after completing the 14 day follow up period.
“We are now remaining with 906 close contacts that our tracing teams are monitoring. Eighteen 18 individuals are currently admitted at Mbagathi Hospital awaiting test results. As we speak there are consultations going on how our teams are going to handle Kilifi and other areas that are emerging as hot spots. I therefore urge people at the Coast and Kilifi in particularly to observe the issue of social distancing with self-determination” said the health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.
The CS yesterday held a meeting with religious leaders in the country who promised to also carry out messages of hygiene as well as that of hope to Kenyans during this period of the coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, there are more than 2000 people who arrived in the country from Monday this week whom the government has placed under mandatory quarantine awaiting testing which will be carried out for them after five days from the date of arrival.
This is in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on testing.
“As we had indicated this week, effective last night at midnight we have closed the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for all the International flights. However as I explained to you earlier, in the event there are Countries that would like to evacuate their nationals from Kenya, that would be handled through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once again I would like to appeal to my fellow Kenyans to continue supporting the measures placed by the government to deal with the pandemic, as this is the only way to cut off transmission of this virus in our country.” The CS added.
