Coronavirus cases rise to 189 as ten patients recover at Mbagathi

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has announced five more coronavirus cases in Kenya bringing the total number to 189.

Speaking on Friday, CS Kagwe said 504 samples were tested and the five new positive cases are Kenyans with only one having a history of travel.

“They are two males and 3 females. One case was from mandatory quarantine and the others were picked by our surveillance teams,” he said.

In terms of county distribution, the Health CS said three of the new cases are from Mombasa, one is from Nairobi and the other from Nyandarua.

Their ages range from 27 to 58 years.

CS Kagwe also revealed that 10 patients who had been admitted to the Mbagathi Hospital isolation centre have since recovered and will be discharged.

He said they tested negative twice bringing the total number of recovered patients to 22.

According to the CS, 2,054 coronavirus cases have been monitored and 1,481 cleared.

“573 remain in the monitoring program,”he said, adding that a total of 6,192 samples have so far been tested for coronavirus.

The Health Ministry boss also said mass testing is being conducted with priority being given to all medical personnel.

“We are able to conduct 600 tests per day and will increase capability in days to come. We are also now able to use automatic machines,” he added.

He also clarified that hiring of 5,000 health workers will be done by the County Service Boards and not the Public Service Board as was earlier advertised.

“There was an advertisement by the Public Service Board but we have consulted with them and agreed that county service board to do the hiring,” he said.

He further noted that Kenya Power plans to fast track connectivity of three-phase electricity to counties so that equipment such respirators can be used as ventilators in county hospitals.

The CS also reiterated that Kenyans should avoid using physical money. “Avoid exchanging notes and coins,” he said.

On disposal of face masks, he said the Health Ministry is working with other government agencies and has circulated a protocol on COVID-19 waste disposal for operationalization.

“Kenyans are advised to properly dispose the masks to avoid contamination,” he said adding that Kenyans should use ordinary masks and leave the surgical ones for medical practitioners.

When asked about standards for masks, he said: “Although we don’t have evidence that it can protect, (Kenyans) can use the cloth masks as we develop guidelines.”