Kenya records 14 new coronavirus cases, total number rises to 172

Fourteen more patients have tested positive for the coronavirus in Kenya, raising the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country to 172.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, in a press briefing on Tuesday, said the new cases include 14 Kenyans and two foreign nationals.

He noted that four of the 14 cases have a recent history of travel from Tanzania, South Africa, UAE and the United States while 10 were picked by surveillance teams in the country.

The CS noted that out of the 14 new patients, seven are from Nairobi, two from Mombasa, two from Mandera while Machakos, Kisii and Kiambu Counties have one new victim each.

The two reported cases from Mandera are said to have recently traveled to Mombasa.

“That explains why the decision by the President was taken to close some of the areas where we feel movement is causing spread of the virus,” said the CS.

Kagwe urged Kenyans to brace themselves for “bad news” noting that all measures the government has taken and intends to take will not stop the spread of the disease abruptly.

“The mortality rate for us has been quite low but this is no reason for us to be relaxed at all. We are praying and hoping for the best but clearly we must also prepare for the worst and mentally we must prepare ourselves to face an insurmountable situation,” said the CS.

The CS reiterated that the country is facing a situation a kin to a boat sailing towards a massive storm, urging Kenyans to be more vigilant and strictly follow the precautionary measures set by the government.