7 more test positive of Coronavirus coming 179 – CAS Health Dr. Mercy Mwangangi
7 more people have tested positive of #COVID-19 bringing total to 179.
In the last 24 hours we have tested 305 people and 7 tested positive. All 7 are Kenyans. 5 from Nairobi 1 from Mombasa and 1 from Uasin Gishu.
Two of the cases emanated from the mandatory quarantine facilities, while 5 were picked by the surveillance teams.
Four of confirmed cases have a history of travel; (1) from Congo, (1) UK and (2) USA.
Five are from Nairobi county, one Mombasa and one Uasin Gishu.
From our #COVID19 statistics, majority of our cases have been mild – Dr. Amoth
In terms of severity breakdown of the 179 cases, 1 case is under critical care, while the rest 178- are moderate & mild cases. A patient who was in critical care is moving to the ward today. 2 additional cases have been discharged in the last 24 hours.
“The age distribution of the already 179 confirmed Coronavirus disease cases so far include;
3 below 15 years
49 between 15-29
114 between 30-59
13 above 60 years
This clearly shows that this disease is affecting persons within the productive age”
With regard to contacts tracing, a total of 2,004 persons have been monitored. Out of these, 1,426 have been discharged and 578 are currently on follow up. To date, we have managed to test 5,278 samples from individuals.
Our health workers have been of tremendous help and we are hiring 500 more Doctors to combat the Coronavirus menace ; Dr. Mwangangi .
Starting today, all salon and barbershop operators must wear masks when attending to clients and must have hand sanitizers ; Dr. Mercy Mwangangi.
All salonist and barbers will be required to wear masks and the number of clients in salons and barbershops will be limited to a number that will be announced later. Basic hygiene must be adhered to such as providing hand sanitizers to the clients.
We have adopted a one government approach to roll out interventions to prevent the further spread of the virus; Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, CAS Health.
We make a special plea to those in possession of oxygen cylinders not in use. Kindly avail them to us so we can boost capacity. We are in this together.
We have scaled up availability of Personal Protective Equipment to enhance our capacity to combat coronavirus & to protect our health workers & medical staff; Dr. Mwangangi
We have trained different cadres of personnel to handle various aspects of the emergency and intensified collaboration with other Government Agencies, Departments and Institutions to enhance the country’s capacity to mass produce hand sanitizers.
The travel restrictions, the countrywide curfew & cessation of mass gatherings among others have helped to contain the spread of coronavirus.
“We wish to thank Kenyans who have taken it in their stride to supplement the Government’s efforts, media which has been disseminating information to our people & the volunteers who have taken their time to sensitize the public on how to keep safe in this period.”
We appreciate Safaricom PLC who have offered to use its 175,000 agents to distribute masks and hand sanitizers.
Kenya Prisons have also agreed to make additional face masks: CAS Mercy Mwangangi.
NATIONAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE COMMITTEE ON CORONAVIRUS
UPDATE OF CORONAVIRUS IN THE COUNTRY AND RESPONSE MEASURES, AS AT 8TH APRIL, 2020
“Fellow Kenyans,
Welcome to our daily briefing on the status of the Coronavirus in the country.
On the day we announced to the country the confirmation of the first Coronavirus case in Kenya, we implored the country to shift gears with regard to our lifestyle and behavior. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we have repeated these measures every single day, and asked you to embrace them for our collective good:
- Regular and thorough washing of hands with soap and running water, or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
- Maintaining social distance of at least 1 meter between each other;
- Maintaining good respiratory hygiene by covering mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing;
- Staying at home whenever you feel unwell with symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing; and,
- Masking oneself with appropriate mask whenever in public spaces, and correctly disposing the masks regularly.
Together with our constant messaging and regular briefings, we have rolled out a broad range of initiatives to stem the spread of this virus. The initiatives have been rolled out under the “One Government Approach” involving cross section of Ministries, Departments and Agencies. We have also worked with our Development Partners, County Governments, Donors, Private Sector and people of goodwill to prevent further spread of the virus.
Towards this end, we have scaled up availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE’s), to enhance our capacity to combat this virus and to protect our health workers and medical staff. We have trained different cadres of personnel to handle various aspects of the emergency we are in.
In collaboration with other Government Agencies, Departments and Institutions, we have enhanced the country’s capacity to mass produce hand sanitizers and distribution of the same is ongoing. We have also issued travel restrictions, a countrywide curfew and cessation of mass gatherings among others; all which have helped a great deal.
Our dedicated health workers and medical staff have been of tremendous help in the country’s efforts to stem the spread of this virus. Together with the measures taken so far to enhance their capacity, and to protect them, we are hiring 500 more doctors to help us combat this menace. If our local supply of medical professionals does not suffice, we will go an extra mile to seek through the international system and our partners. In appreciation of the risks placed on the health workers, we have also set up separate isolation and quarantine centers for our health workers and medical staff.
I want to thank Kenyans who have taken it in their stride to supplement the Government’s efforts. From the media which has been disseminating information to our people, to the volunteers who have taken their time to sensitize the public on how to keep safe in this period. Our innovators and entrepreneurs who are pulling all stops to design appropriate masks, hand-washing devices, as well as platforms of disseminating anti-coronavirus messages, we thank you all.
Our Corporates; I am pleased to announce that Safaricom PLC has offered to use its 175,000 agents to distribute masks and hand sanitizers. I am also pleased to announce that Kenya Prisons have agreed to make additional face masks. I encourage other institutions and corporates to find that which can lend a helping hand in this epic fight for our motherland and our common heritage. In this same vein, I want to make a special plea to those in possession of oxygen cylinders not in use to consider availing them to us, for the purposes of boosting our capacity in preparedness for any worse situation that may come.
Ladies and gentleman, this disease has shown itself to be blind to our creed, status, color, age and height. It is for this reason we have been calling for “one-for-all-and-all-for-one” approach to save ourselves. More than ever before in our history, we are called to drop all our titles, beliefs, status, age and religion to fight this menace. On this one, we will either rise or fall together. The power is in our hands to change the tide of the times, by observing the Government measures and directives.
We must also remember that this is a public health issue we are dealing with. All private testing facilities, as a matter of law, and in line with Public Health Act, must share a report of their results with the Ministry of Health, for purposes of record keeping and monitoring. Institutions wishing to conduct private testing for their personnel, are therefore requested to ensure that they liaise with the Ministry.
In addition to the previous measures given, we are adding the following measure; that from today, all salon and barber shop operators must wear face masks while attending to their clients. They must have sanitizers for their clients and must ensure social distancing and practice basic hygiene in their operations.
Fellow Kenyans, in the last 24 hours, we have tested a total of 305 samples, out of which seven (7) people have tested positive for the Coronavirus disease. All the seven are Kenyans. Four (4) of them have a history of travel; 1 from Congo, UK (1) and USA (2). In terms of distribution per their counties of residence, Nairobi has 5, Mombasa 1 and Uasin Gishu 1.
Two (2) of the cases emanated from our mandatory quarantine facilities, while five (5) were picked by our surveillance teams. This now brings the total number of those who have tested positive for the disease in the country to 179.
In terms of age breakdown, of the 179 cases, 3 cases are below 15 years of age, 49 cases are 15-29 years of age, 114 cases 30-59 years while those above 60 are 13.
The seven (7) people have already been moved into isolation in various health facilities and contact tracing is ongoing.
In terms of gender, four (4) of the new cases are females and three (3) are males.
With regard to contacts tracing, a total of 2,004 persons have been monitored. Out of these, 1,426 have been discharged and 578 are currently on follow up. To date, we have managed to test 5,278 samples from individuals.
In terms of severity breakdown of the 179 cases, One (1) case is under critical care, while the rest- 178- are moderate and mild cases. One piece of good news we have is that, a patient who was in critical care is moving to the ward today. Two (2) additional cases have been discharged in the last 24 hours.
I want to wish the affected Kenyans a quick recovery.
I thank you.”
HON. MUTAHI KAGWE, EGH,
CABINET SECRETARY.