9 more coronavirus cases reported in Kenya, total rises to 59

The Ministry of Health has announced 9 more cases of coronavirus in Kenya bringing the total to 59.

According to Chief Administrative Secretary Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, tracing of contacts of the 59 patients is ongoing.

“So far, total close contacts reported were 1658 and out of this number, 508 have been discharged after completing 14-day mandatory follow-up,” she said.

The CAS further noted that health teams are currently monitoring 1160 close contacts.

She stated that the Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital, which now has a bed-capacity of 300, will boost response services offered at the Mbagathi Hospital isolation centre.

The CAS also reiterated that the National Government is exploiting usage of boarding schools as isolation units in the event the situation worsens.

“We are working closely with county governments,” she said adding that 1000 more health workers are to be hired.

With regard to health workers, the CAS lauded them for doing a good job so far and said the Health Ministry will ensure they have appropriate gear.

On Personal Protective Equipment, Dr. Mwangangi said efforts to acquire more are being scaled up though there is a global shortage.

According to her, the Government is engaging local manufacturers to plan for adequate kits.

She also noted that the Health Ministry is increasing testing capacity and appealed to Kenyans to support Government efforts in curbing the spread of coronavirus.

On Monday, Ministry of Health Director General Patrick Amoth posited that the total number of coronavirus in Kenya could rise to 10,000 by the end of April.

He said the virus is not following a trend: “We postulate that we could have 1000 cases by first week of April, 5000 by mid-April and 10,000 by end of April.”.

The Worldometers website reports global cases of the coronavirus as follows: 803,541 cases, 39,044 deaths and 172,426 recovered.