Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Rashid Aman updates the
country on Covid-19 at Afya House, Nairobi on April 30, 2020. PHOTO |
JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Kenya has reported 30 new
coronavirus positive cases in the last 24 hours after testing 883
samples.
The Ministry of Health on Sunday said two deaths were also
reported in the same period, bringing total number of deaths to 24.
Chief
Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Health Rashid Aman added
that the country registered 15 recoveries, bringing total of patients
discharged from hospital to 167.
During
the daily coronavirus briefing in Nairobi, Dr Rashid decried the casual
attitude adopted by Kenyans in following the directives issued by the
government to slow down the spread of the disease.
He
said many people have continued to violate the social distancing rule
while some eateries and hotels failed to enforce the Ministry of Health
directives.
CRITICISED
Matatus
and boda bodas were also criticised for negligence. The CAS also said
that some mosques are now opening at night for worship.
“We have observed that some mosques have
revised prayer time and are now opening for prayers at night. I must
warn such religious leaders that this contravenes the directive that
suspended all religious gatherings. They must stop this practice
forthwith, failure of which legal action in accordance with Public
Health Act shall be taken against them,” he said.
He
warned that action will be taken against those breaking the rules with
the police now asked to create special quarantine areas for those who
violate curfew laws.
"I
wish to state that such individuals will not be accommodated at the
usual government quarantine facilities. Instead, the Inspector General
of Police has been directed to designate a curfew breakers holding
place. The place must be able to meet the social distancing
requirement."
At the same time,
Dr Rashid urged citizens to go for targeted testing in areas that have
been identified as high risk. Some of Covid-19 hotspots in the country
currently are Kawangware and Eastleigh in Nairobi and Mvita, Kisauni and
Likoni in Mombasa.
TESTING
He
said many people have been reluctant to go for testing since it was
launched two days ago with only 803 out of expected 2,000 in Kawangware
and 494 out of 3,000 tested in Eastleigh.
“I
want to appeal to Kenyans to willingly come forward to be tested. If we
have to flatten our infections and minimise the risk of transmission,
the Ministry of Health encourages Kenyans in the target areas to present
themselves to the testing teams. Experience has shown that countries
that have managed to flatten their infection curve quickly, have heavily
relied on targeted testing. The tests will be conducted free of
charge.”
Out of the 30
new cases, 19 were reported in Mombasa, eight in Nairobi, two in Bungoma
and one Kitui. This brings the total number of counties where the virus
has been reported to 16.
The
Ministry of Health has meanwhile asked Kenyans not skip hospital during
the Covid-19 pandemic saying all measures have been put in place to
ensure that the virus is not transmitted in hospitals.
“I
want to remind Kenyans that as we continue to address covid-19
pandemic, the other health services must continue to be provided to
Kenyans. In this regard, I call upon all Kenyans to continue accessing
health services in their 5 preferred facilities. Our records are
indicating low hospital visitation for health services. Let us all be
reminded that this kind of health seeking behaviour can lead to other
more serious consequences.”
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