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The government has announced that, as of today,the 19th of March 2020, there has not been any new cases of Coronavirus infections reported in Kenya.
Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe in his daily public health address said the 7 positive cases in Kenya reported by yesterday are stable now being subjected to more tests.Kagwe hoever said
the government has contacted 145 individuals who are believed to have come into contact with patients who have tested positive for the coronavirus The individuals are being traced and are expected to undergo screening and testing for COVID-19.
The CS added that over the last 24 hours, eight persons had been screened and tested, with all the cases turning negative, adding that the said individuals are being processed to be discharged to go home
“So this is good news that today we are not reporting an increase in the positive cases we have in the country. We are however continuing with tests and contact tracing and we have already contacted 145 people who have come into contact with persons who have tested positive for the virus,” said Kagwe.
Meanwhile, the government has now announced that it will use Nyumba Kumi to create the smallest units to monitor any spread of COVID 19. Kagwe said the Chiefs and sub chiefs in the Nyumba Kumi will be instrumental in reporting any cases due to the small units. He appealed to Kenyans to step up efforts in containing the transmission of the virus by maintaining high standards of Hygiene.
Kagwe furhter reveald that the government will partner with other stakeholders to begin randomly screening Kenyans starting this Saturday, 21st of March 2020 . The disinfection of various establishments has also kicked off.
Meanwhile, The ministry of health has put to rest the use of masks in preventing the spread of COVID 19 . Speaking during the press briefings on COVID 19 , the head of division of family health from the ministry of Health Dr Patric Amoth discouraged the use of the masks explaining that the masks are best used by surgical doctors or anyone who has a respiratory infection. He explained that for now, Kenyans only need to wash their hands and use sanitizers to keep the virus at bay.