COVID-19 death toll in Kenya hits 74

Three more patients have succumbed to the Coronavirus in Kenya bringing the total number of deaths to 74.

Health CAS Dr Rashid Aman said two of the deceased were from Nairobi while the other was from Nyeri.

This comes as the country announced 123 new cases from 2112 samples that were tested.

On a more positive note, 54 patients have been discharged, bringing the total number of recoveries to 553.

Dr Aman, however, expressed concern that Kenyans had adopted a casual approach ahead of the much anticipated address by President Uhuru Kenyatta, warning that many were putting themselves at risk of contracting the virus.

 “We must wear masks at all times to protect ourselves and our loved ones and avoid the risk of being infected or infecting others.

“The only measure that has been relaxed is the measure that allowed operation of restaurants and eateries based on strict adherence to the social and physical distancing measures,” he said.

President Kenyatta is set to address the nation before the end of the week and many are expecting him to make changes to the containment measures.

It seems highly unlikely that the cessation of movement order will be lifted due to the spread of the virus in various counties.

Many also expect him to address the re-opening of schools although this week Education CS Prof George Magoha stated that consultations were still ongoing.

Churches have also been shut for a while and it remains to be seen whether they will be re-opened.

While delivering his Madaraka Day speech at State House, the President said he shared the heavy hearts of all those who can no longer worship as they used to.

As part of the measures to contain the spread of Coronavirus in the country, the government ordered closure of all places of worship in March and President Kenyatta has now called on all stakeholders involved to hasten consultations and come up with a workable plan.

“I share the heavy hearts of all the faithful who can no longer congregate and share in worship in that regard, and conscious of the emerging trend of infections.

“I direct the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Health to continue and hasten their engagement with religious leaders; with the objective of developing protocols that will be adopted to guide a more participatory way of worship while guaranteeing the safety of worshipers,” he said.