Kenya confirms first Coronavirus case
The Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has confirmed the first Coronavirus case in Kenya.
The Kenyan citizen a 27 year old lady was returning from the US to Nairobi via Ohio, Chicago through London then ended up in Nairobi on 5th March 2020.
Mutahi Kagwe, Health CS: The lady who has tested positive for coronavirus is not to blame. She has given information of everyone she has been in contact with. We have traced those who were on the flight with her.
CS Mutahi Kagwe has invoked the public health act after it was declared a pandemic.
The CS advices Kenyans to thoroughly wash hands and use alcohol based sanitizers.
Keep 1-meter distance from a person who is sneezing or coughing.
A person who is coughing or sneezing, has a fever and difficulties in breathing should stay at home and avoid crowds as they seek medical help. All public gatherings and meetings have since been suspended.
The Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has directed PSVs to provide hand sanitizers for passengers.
Mutahi Kagwe, CS Health: All public gatherings meetings including the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), games, events, church crusades have been suspended. Churches can have services as long as they have sanitizer. Schools to remain open but inter school games are cancelled.
Mutahi Kagwe, Health CS: Prison visits suspended for the next 30 days. Kenyans must refrain from misinformation on social media platforms or indulge in acts that will place fear. We have placed travel advisories on epicenter countries. Businesses should have thermal scanners.
The CS says there is no need to panic and hygiene needs to be maintained and the patient is responding well to treatment.
Mutahi Kagwe: There has been a misguided notion that those with black skin cannot get coronavirus. I can confirm that she is an African & is 27 years old.
Najib Balala, Tourism CS: The tourism sector will definitely be hit. Countries have shut down. JKIA numbers are currently very low. The government has allocated Ksh.500 Million for PR and marketing post Coronavirus.
This are the first steps to keeping your family safe from #Covid_19 or Coronavirus:
✅ Wash your hands regularly with soap & running water
✅ Cover your mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue, when coughing or sneezing.
✅ Avoid close contact with anyone who has cold or flu-like symptoms
” This is not the time to make abnormal profits by charging abnormal prices for medicine, goods and services. It will be immoral for anyone to take advantage for a situation like this one.” – Mutahi Kagwe
The Ministry of Health will conduct training to bus and Matatu operators on Coronavirus preventive measures – CS Macharia.
“This is not a time for us to assign blame, the government is doing all it can. This is a time for us to come together to ensure that this pandemic does not damage our nation.” says Health CS Mutahi Kagwe.
Official Statement by the Ministry of Health CS on the first confirmed case of Coronavirus in Kenya.
The Ministry of Health has sent its officials , a rapid response team to Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County where the 27 year old lady who tested positive for Coronavirus lives to trace her interactions and take necessary preventive measures on the spread of the virus.
A call center has been set up to enhance communication on COVID-19. Members of the public can reach out by dialing 719 for audio messages or *719# for short messages. This will apply across all networks.
A team from the Ministry of Health led by the Deputy Director, Public Health Dr. Fidelis Lagho today March 14th 2020, fumigated the building and surrounding from which the first case of COVID_19 resided, in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County.
Following the confirmation of a case of #COVID-19 in the country yesterday, the Ministry of Health has traced 22 close contacts who have been quarantined at KNH Isolation Unit at Mbagathi.
Twenty three other persons of mixed nationalities who travelled on the same flight with the patient have also been traced and advised to undertake self-quarantine for 14 days CAS Dr, Mercy Mwangangi said today at a media briefing.