Most Kenyans infected with Coronavirus may experience mild illness but will recover quickly — Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health on Friday notified Kenyans that most people who will be infected with Coronavirus may experience mild illness but will recover quickly.

Through a statement to newsrooms, the Ministry, however, stated that the disease can be more severe among the elderly and those who notice symptoms should self-quarantine and get in touch with health officials immediately.

“Kenyans are reminded that most people who become infected may experience only mild illness and recover easily, but the disease can be more severe in others, especially the elderly and persons with other chronic illnesses,” read the statement in part.

This comes after the Ministry confirmed a Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) case in Nairobi.

The case, which was confirmed on March 12, 2020, is the first one to be reported in Kenya since the beginning of the outbreak in China in December 2019.

The case is a Kenyan citizen who travelled back to Nairobi returning from the United States of America via London, United Kingdom on March 5, 2020.

She was confirmed positive by the National Influenza Centre Laboratory at the National Public Health Laboratories.

According to Health CS Mutahi Kagwe, the patient is clinically stable, and is being managed at the Infectious Diseases Unit at the Kenyatta National Hospital.

All Kenyans have been advised to observe the following preventive measures:

• Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, or use alcoholbased hand sanitizer.
• Maintain a distance of at least 1 meter (5 feet) between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
• Persons with a cough or sneezing should stay home or keep a social distance, but avoid mixing with others in a crowd.
• Maintain good respiratory hygiene by covering your mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing with a handkerchief, tissue, or into flexed elbow.
• Stay at home if you feel unwell with symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing.
• Suspend all public gatherings, meetings and events.
• Suspend all inter – school events.
• Public transport providers are directed to provide hand sanitizers for their clients and regular cleaning of the vehicles.
• Temporary suspension of prison visits for the next 30 days.
• Kenyans must not abuse social media platforms or indulge in spreading misinformation that can cause fear and panic.