The government has scaled up security surveillance in Nairobi and Mombasa cities to restrict the mass exodus of residents from Covid 19 hotspots that were recently put under lockdown.
The move comes following reports that some residents had opted to relocate elsewhere to evade the strict lockdown conditions that were imposed to contain further spread of the pandemic.
Consequently, Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Dr. Rashid Aman on Thursday urged Kenyans to report any newcomers in their neighborhood to the authorities for their own safety.
He expressed fears that some of resident who moved out of Nairobi’s Eastleigh estate and Old town in Mombasa where a 15 days lockdown was imposed might as well spread the viral disease to their new locations.
Giving an update today on coronavirus status in the country and response measures, Ministry of Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Dr. Rashid Aman said the government was aware that the restrictions put on the Covid 19 hotspots may cause some inconveniences but stressed that the move was necessary for the safety of kenyans.
“Some people have decided to sneak out of these areas and relocate to the neighboring estates. Let me caution you that this move is counterproductive because if you happen to be infected unknowingly, then you have just transferred the problem to another area”, he said
Dr. Rashid told residents of Eastleigh and Old Town that it should not be business as usual and that the measures outlined yesterday must be strictly adhered to, together with the other guidelines meant to mitigate against the disease.
“Washing of hands, maintaining social distancing, observing high standards of hygiene, wearing of face masks and sanitizing where possible are the practices that will help to bring back normalcy in these areas”, he said.
The CAS reiterated that all cross all cross border truck drivers are now required to be tested at the point of origin, and obtain a corona free certificate 48 hours before departure in line with an agreement arrived at between East African Community (EAC) member states on COVID-19 protocol.
Giving the situation of Covid today, Dr. Rashid noted that out of the 1075 samples tested in the last 24 hours, 25 people tested positive for Coronavirus disease bringing the total number of those who have tested positive to 607.
This number, he added is growing and must be stopped saying that from the 25 positive cases, 22 are Kenyans, One is Ugandan, one Tanzanian and one is a Chinese National.
“Distribution of the cases is that 17 are from Nairobi, 2 from Wajir, 2 from Kajiado and one each from Mombasa, Migori, Isiolo and Nakuru” , he said .
He noted that Isiolo County now becomes the latest to record a Covid-19 case bringing to 18 the number of Counties so far affected.
The cases from Nairobi , he explained are spread in the estates with Eastleigh having the highest number of 9 cases followed by Kawangware (2), Parklands (2), Riruta (1), South C (1), Umoja (1) and Juja Road (1). The one case in Mombasa is from Likoni, while that of Nakuru is from Solai.
In terms of Gender, there are 21 males and 4 women and their ages range from eight (8) years for the youngest and seventy-three (73) years for the oldest, the CAS said
“On a positive note, we have today recorded additional 7 new discharges bringing a total number of those who have recovered from the disease to 197. We are equally saddened that we have lost 3 patents , two from Nairobi and one from Mombasa bringing to 29 the number of deaths from the disease”, he said
Dr. Rashid has further said that the government has made plans to evacuate Kenyans who had travelled to India for treatment and that they are expected to land this evening at JKIA.
The patients, he explained will be home quarantined under the care of their medical doctors.
Meanwhile, Dr. Patrick amoth, Acting Director General Ministry of Health said deaths at community level is a becoming concern for the government.
“Yesterday we had deaths in Mombasa at community level a sign of intense transmission of the disease, and we have
By Wangari Ndirangu
Residents Relocate From Covid 19 Lockdown Zones
