Kenya confirms 15 more coronavirus cases, tally at 296

Kenya has confirmed 15 new cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the tally of positive cases to 296.

The new cases are from 545 samples tested in Kenya in the last 15 hours.

7 of the new cases are from Mombasa, 2 from Mandera and 6 from Nairobi.

The government has also embarked on following up 730 contacts of the new cases.

At the same time, five coronavirus patients have recovered bringing the total number of recoveries to 74.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi noted that despite the gravity of the pandemic, cynical Kenyans were still thinking the disease is a hoax.

She noted that some younger Kenyans were still disregarding directives from the government thinking that they are not susceptible.

Her reference appeared to address a series of arrests the past weekend in which hundreds of Kenyans were carted off to police cells after they were nabbed partying in reckless abandon.

Speaking while addressing the press at Afya House, Dr. Mwangangi said that Kenyans found outside their houses during the said period will now be assumed to have contacted suspected cases of coronavirus and hence placed under quarantine.

“Going forward, fellow Kenyans, all those who break the curfew rules will be assumed to have been in contact with suspected cases and hence will be quarantined for a period of 14 days,” she said.

“We have activated the Nyumba Kumi initiative and, further to this, we shall now utilize technology in tracking and surveillance of any members of the public who are congregating post curfew hours.”

She also stated that the Ministry of Health was aware of malicious traders recycling used face masks and selling them back to members of the public.

The CAS stated that the ministry would hence issue guidelines on proper disposal of face masks, further urging Kenyans to undertake due diligence before buying them.