7 more Kenyans have tested positive of COVID 19 ,bringing the total number of positive cases in Kenya to 179 cases.Giving the daily updates on the pandemic int he country, Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Mercy Mwangangi said 2 of the new cases were picked from the quarantine centres.

Four of the new cases are female, 3 are female. All of the new cases have been moved into isolation centres. Of the 179 cases, one is in critical care. However, one covid 19 case has been moved from the ICU to the general ward. Two cases have since been discharged.

The Health ministry has further issued additional measures to combat further spread of the novel coronavirus. CAS Dr. Mwangangi directed salons and barber shop operators to henceforth use face masks and sanitize their equipment and premises. The operators have also been instructed to ensure their clients observe social distancing .

And in invoking the Public Health Act, the Ministry of Health has instructed all private health facilities to inform the ministry of any cases of COVID 19 that they are handling to consolidate the country’s efforts in fighting the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the ministry of health has announced that it will hire an additional 500 doctors to help in efforts to combat the coronavirus. In the daily updates on the pandemic, Health CAS Dr. Mercy Mwangangi said the medical staff have been at the forefront in fighting the pandemic.She said separate isolation centres aer being set up for the health workers due to the risk they face in their line of duty

This even as the Ministry of Health has distanced itself with news reports that some members of parliament have tested positive of coronavirus. Dr Mwangangi said they will undertake mass testing to ensure all groups are tested, and will keep all results confidential. Senators, Members of the National Assembly and staff have been undergoing voluntary tests for Coronavirus in Parliament Buildings since last week, with most getting their results on Monday. Meanwhile, the Speakers of both Houses canceled the special sitting of both Houses sparking speculations that the move was informed by the coronavirus.

Further, residents living in the 4 counties that have been restricted movement, namely Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale, and wishing to transport the bodies of their loved ones upcountry, have been instructed to write to the Ministry of Interior to be allowed to pass the boundaries. The Health CAS further assured that a circular to that effect will soon be released for further communication to the public.