The Country has recorded another double digit of Covid 19 infections three days in a row after 25 more cases were confirmed on Monday further pushing the national tally of those found with the highly contagious virus to 490.
The twenty five cases were detected from at least 1012 samples that were tested in the last 24 hours out of which 15 of the fresh infections were from Nairobi while the other ten were from Mombasa County.
Giving the governments update on Corona virus situation in the country Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS). Dr. Mercy Mwangangi said all the cases were Kenyans who had no prior travel history
Eight of the Nairobi cases were sampled from Eastleigh, Umoja and Kawangware had two cases each while, Kahawa West , Kariobangi South and Mathare had one cases respectively.
In Mombasa, the Old Town which has lately turned to be a hotspot recorded eight caese while Bombululu and Jomvu. Had a case each
In terms of gender, Dr. Mwangangi said that thirteen are males and twelve females whose age distribution range from 6 months for the youngest to 60 years for the oldest.
On a positive note, the CAS noted that today there were 6 discharges bringing now to 173 the total number of those who have so far recovered from the disease in the country.
Since the government embarked on targeted testing in certain regions, Dr. Mwangangi said that there is gradual increase in the turnout and the teams are continuing with the exercise in hotspot areas such as Kawangware, Eastleigh and Mvita in Mombasa County.
“The targeted testing is to identify and isolate the infected in order to prevent further transmission. You can’t fight the virus if you don’t know where it is. I am therefore urging Kenyans in these areas to willingly come forward and be tested. Testing is the most effective strategy of breaking the chain of transmission”, she said.
The CAS has also called upon mask vendors who are allowing more than one person to fit several face masks without buying to stop forthwith saying this is a dangerous practice which can lead to mass infection.
She advised Vendors to package masks according to sizes to limit the possibility of contamination but also warned the wearers of the masks to do so in the proper way.
“A few of us hang them at our chins, until we meet a law enforcement officer. This is because those doing so have not understood the importance of having the face masks on. Masks act as a protective barrier to the virus, thereby reducing the possibility of infection”, the CAS said
The CAS emphasized that to stop the infections, each and every one o must take precaution and religiously practice the containment measures that government has consistently advocated.
She urged all to observe social distancing requirement, wash hands regularly, and stay at home, and only go out when absolutely necessary.
“Whenever out in a public place, one must wear the face mask. The fight against the coronavirus disease the CAS insisted is still on, and we cannot afford to relent in our efforts to bring the curve down. We must soldier on”, Dr. Mwangangi said
Speaking on the issue of strike notice that has been issued by health care workers today, Ag. Director General in the Health Ministry Dr. Patrick Amoth said that they are in talks with the workers
He explained that the Ministry is working well with the Public Service Commission (PSC) and also Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and have developed a plan which is awaiting approval before its shared with the health care workers.
“This will include looking at their welfare and also needs considering the extra hours they put in to tame the Covid 19 pandemic”, he added
Dr. Amoth has further said that the government has started evacuating Kenyans who are stranded all over the world including Europe and Asia including Kenyans who had gone for treatment especially in India and who are destined to come back home this week,
“For those we have to put quarantine facilities ready to be able to accommodate them for the 14-day quarantine process”, he said
Health Workers in the country today issued a 14-day strike notice to the government citing that government is sidelining them during this time they are taking risk to fight the corona virus,
At the global level, the corona disease burden stands at 3.3 million people infected and 238, 628 have died. In Africa, the confirmed cases now stand at 29, 438 with 1,064 fatalities.
By Wangari Ndirangu.
