Runda: Former lawmaker who tested positive for coronavirus linked to 18 contacts

A prominent former Nairobi lawmaker is among 41 new cases of coronavirus registered in Nairobi.

The politician whose identity Citizen TV cannot reveal for privacy reasons, is currently admitted to hospital in what has been described as critical but stable condition.

The hospital has placed the patient on supplementary oxygen – a condition used to describe someone who can breath on their own but has low oxygen levels in blood.

On Thursday, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe announced nine new cases in Runda estate, Westlands, bringing the total for Nairobi alone to 537.

18 contacts have been traced back to patient, nine of whom have tested positive for coronavirus including the politician’s two grandchildren, aged 2 and 7 years.

Speaking during the Press briefing, CS Kagwe said Kenyans must decline ‘unnecessary’ visits especially in homes where there are young children.

“If you have a baby – be very careful. Especially if you are a young mother or father. Do not encourage any visitors let them stay at their houses for a change,” he said.

Thursday’s briefing revealed that high-end estates are likely to become the new hotspots for the virus.

The lawmaker is said to have been sick for about two weeks and was nursing symptoms (difficulty in breathing, fever and coughing) from the Runda home only to test positive for coronavirus.

On Thursday morning, Health Ministry officials went to Runda aboard an ambulance and picked up those who shared residence with the patient.

They were taken to the Kenyatta University Referral Hospital for treatment and observation.

The other nine who haven’t tested positive of the virus have been quarantined for 14 days after which they will be retested.

Kenya has 1,109 positive cases so far with Nairobi and Mombasa reporting majority of the patients.