Kenya confirms 8 new coronavirus cases, bringing total to 15

The number of coronavirus cases in Kenya has risen to 15 after eight more patients tested positive for COVID-19.

According to Health CS Mutahi Kagwe, the eight new cases include five Kenyans and three foreigners (two French nationals and a Mexican).

“In the last 72 hours, we have received confirmation of an additional 8 cases who have tested positive for coronavirus. This now brings the total number of those who have tested to 15,” said the Health CS in a press briefing on Sunday.

According to the Health CS, the eight cases are individuals aged between 20 and 57 years who traveled to the country from Europe and the US between March 4 and March 17.

“All the eight came through the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport between March 4 and March 17 and they have all been isolated at various facilities and are being monitored by our teams,” noted the CS.

The Health Cabinet Secretary further announced that the government is tracing 363 persons who are believed to have come into contact with the eight new patients.

He added that three other people are waiting processing at Mbagathi Hospital.

“All the patients except the one who is  at the Coast in Msambweni are in stable condition. The government is organizing to have the patient in Msambweni airlifted to Nairobi for further treatment,” said Kagwe.

The Health CS pleaded with Kenyans to remain focused in exercising high levels of hygiene and maintaining social distance as the most effective measures to avoid contracting the coronavirus.

“Our actions continue to be guided by the trends that we have observed in other countries. Evidence from other countries indicates that the number of infected persons increases dramatically in the second week following confirmation of the first case,” said Kagwe.

CS Mutahi Kagwe: We have noticed that majority of our people have continued to ignore our measures, continuing as if it is business as usual. We must treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves pic.twitter.com/P3dw4utq0X

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) March 22, 2020