Kenya records death of two more Coronavirus patients

Two more Kenyans have succumbed to Coronavirus as 29 others tested positive bringing the total number of confirmed positive cases to 110.

The two patients one from Nairobi and the other Mombasa passed on Thursday bringing the total number of deaths in the country to three.

In a press briefing Thursday, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe announced that out of the 29 who have tested positive, 28 are Kenyans while one is Congolese.

“Out of the 29 who have tested positive, 28 are Kenyans while one is Congolese, they have all been placed in isolation in various health facilities and contact tracing has commenced, ” said Health CS Kagwe adding that “they have all been placed in isolation in various health facilities and contact tracing has commenced. ”

He confirmed that a total of 662 samples had been tested in the last 24 hours.

“In the last 24 hours, 662 samples have been tested. This is the highest number tested in the country in a single day. 29 people have tested positive. 28 of them are Kenyans and 1 is Congolese. We have placed the 29 people into isolation in our various health facilities and contact tracing has commenced.” CS Kagwe said.

He asked those on quarantine to keep serious social distance as 23 of the confirmed cases were detected in the designated quarantine facilities while six were from suspected cases in isolation units.

The ages of the confirmed cases range between 16-64 years.

” This number, I must say is going to rise and will rise exponentially. We must change behaviors and attitude to cut the transmission of the virus. Had we not placed the people under mandatory quarantine when we did, the story would be different.” He added.

Following the rising number of positive cases, the CS said the government is announcing stiffer measures to deal with the Coronavirus.

“We are completely discouraging movement to upcountry areas. Going forward, the only ones allowed to move up and down is cargo, in order to keep the food chain.”

All boda boda riders and matatu drivers were ordered to wear masks which he said the government  will distribute through counties and association chairpersons.

At the same time, the government has directed all County Governments to hire 5,000 skilled health workers within 7-days to help control the Covid-19 pandemic.

” The Government has instructed with immediate effect, that the hiring of 5000- skilled health workers within the country begin and with the aim of finalizing the hiring within the next 7 days. An additional 6000 health workers will be in place to fight coronavirus.” Said the CS.

Dr. Patrick Amoth  says the dead patients bodies have been disinfected adding that handling and disposal of bodies will strictly be done according to stipulated guidelines and protocols. 

Families of the departed will only bury their loved ones if they commit to adhere to the strict guidelines otherwise government will take over disposal.