Kenya has yet again confirmed nine more coronavirus cases bringing the total number of those who have tested positive to 59.
In a press briefing Tuesday, Ministry of Health, Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS), Dr. Mercy Mwangangi said 234 cases have been analysed in the last 24 hours and nine had tested positive.
“In the last 24 hours, 234 samples have been analysed and nine people have tested positive bringing the total to 59 as of today, 31 March 2020” she said.
Tracing of close contacts of the 59 confirmed cases is on-going. So far, the total number of close contacts that have so far been monitoring stands at 1668. Out of this number, 508 have been discharged from contact follow up process after completing the 14 days follow up period.
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Currently, the teams are monitoring 1160 close contacts of confirmed cases.
She further disclosed that the Ministry of Health government is expanding its isolation capacity and plans to employ over 1000 health workers are underway in stepped up efforts to fight Covid-19.
What if the situation worsens?
The CAS said they are working with county governments to explore and identify boarding schools to be used as isolation facilities for COVID-19 patients should cases recorded in the country increase.
“We are also exploring the usage of our boarding schools countrywide in the event the situation worsens. We have requested the County Governments to identify specific boarding schools which will be able to assist us in this matter. We are also looking at hangars and fields as well. This is expected to offer us an additional 300,000 bed capacity” she added.
On testing, Dr Mwangangi said the government currently has adequate capacity to confirm COVID-19 through laboratory testing but noted that they will be opening more testing centres and equipping level 4 and 5 hospitals across the country to boost capacity.
The CAS also stated that they are engaging local manufacturers to make medical materials required to manage COVID-19 cases.
“We are in the process of engaging the EPZ to manufacture face masks, suits to be distributed countrywide. In the same vein we are also looking at manufacturing of protective suits for our health care workers” she explained.
Meanwhile, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has declared Maanzoni Lodge a quarantine area.
This is after 720 youth were found meeting at the facility, despite social distancing and congregating advisories from the Ministry of Health.
They will all be quarantined and tested before being released.
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