Infected cases hit 25, State to tighten controls

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe (centre) accompanied by medical experts Myriam Sidibe (left) and Amit Thakker gives the country an update on the coronavirus situation in the country at Afya House. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Coronavirus cases in the country now stand at 25.

This was after the government confirmed that nine more people have tested positive.

Making the announcement yesterday, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said as a result of the spike in cases, the government will today spell out tougher measures to contain the spread of the virus.

Mr Kagwe said the latest cases were confirmed in the last 24 hours in government laboratories at both Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) and the National Influenza Centre.

The cases are spread across four counties of Nairobi, Kilifi, Mombasa and Kwale. The nine cases were identified among 82 samples that had been sent to the laboratories.

“Out of the nine people infected, seven are Kenyans while two are foreigners,” said Kagwe.

Of the seven Kenyans, three contracted the virus by being in contact with earlier confirmed cases. The foreigners jetted in while infected. 

“The new patients have already been taken into isolation in our facilities,” he said.

Kagwe added that people who the patients were in contact with are being traced. So far, government agencies have identified 745 people who were in contact with those who have already tested positive for the virus.

Out of the 745 people, 98 have tested negative and have been certified to be free of the virus.

Despite the increase in the number of infected people, Kagwe insisted that so far there are no local to local transmission, which was a good sign in terms of containment.

He said all the patients who have tested positive are in stable condition, except one male French tourist, who needs a ventilator. The tourist is of advanced age. Old age is one of the risk factors that makes one susceptible to the virus.

Kagwe noted that none of the patients was in critical condition. “We think we might have good news, but we do not want to announce anything for now then go back on our word. We would like to leave it at that,” said Kagwe.

The CS said even with the tough measures put in place to contain the virus, which include suspending international flights and closure of schools, more of such measures will be announced today after a meeting with the National Emergency Response Committee, which he chairs.

“We will be announcing new measures after considering the current situation,” he said.

Several countries with spiking numbers like Rwanda, United Kingdom, Italy and Senegal have resorted to lockdowns to minimise contact.

Kagwe noted that some of the directives issued earlier, like self-quarantine, were not being followed properly.