52 more test positive for coronavirus in Kenya

Kenya has confirmed 52 more positive cases of coronavirus raising the country’s tally to 1,161.

The 52 were confirmed from the analysis of 2,567 samples in the last 24 hours, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said.

Of the new cases, 23 are from Nairobi with eight from Kibra, while seven are from Mombasa with Busia county having another seven new cases. 

The CS said Mombasa cases are on the decline but called for more vigilance in areas such as Old Town, Jomvu and Mvita saying a lot need to be done to flatten the curve.

In Busia, Kagwe directed truck drivers to test 48 hours before leaving for the border to avoid clogging up in the border towns, which he said could be the cause of the new cases in the area.

“All the drivers ferrying cargo must be tested and issued with Covid-19 free certificate,” he said.

Kagwe also said that five patients have been discharged bringing the number of recoveries to 380 with fatalities still standing at 50.

Kagwe who spoke at Machakos Town, during the maiden briefing outside Nairobi, said the fight against the virus required a concerted effort from both the national and county government hence the decentralisation of the daily updates to counties.

“This war cannot be won by the ministry alone. It requires efforts from all Kenyans, counties included,” he said.

“Let Kenyans know that Coronavirus is not for Nairobi alone, but can affect all the counties.”

He hailed Machakos County for improving its healthcare facilities, saying it has made it easier for the country to fight the bug.

“We are pleased with what is happening in Machakos in terms of general healthcare and in containing the spread of Covid-19.”

He also said there are plans to decentralise the Covid-19 updates across the counties to check their preparedness in dealing with the pandemic.

"The visit is to check the level of preparedness in the county facilities to help the ministry in its planning."

He urged the counties to expedite the recruitment of new medics to help in the fight against the pandemic.

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, speaking during the press briefing, said he was privileged to host CS Kagwe.

“Machakos is the only county with a county hospital that has been approved to test Covid-19,” he said.

The governor added that as one of the measures, the county has ordered trucks from Mombasa to only stay in Machakos for 30 minutes to ensure drivers don’t overstay and possibly spread the virus.