The Kenyan government on Wednesday announced tougher measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic after the Ministry of Health announced a successive increase of positive cases from the previous highest daily total reported.
The ministry reported 47 new cases compared to 45 on Tuesday. The country’s total stands at 582.
One of the new measures announced by Health Secretary Mutahi Kagwe was the imposition of a partial lockdown in two areas in the capital Nairobi and the port city of Mombasa. The order takes effect on Wednesday, May 6.
The two respective areas, Eastleigh and Old Town, have emerged as COVID-19 hotspots in the country registering recent spikes in the numbers of cases.
“We have identified some epicentres where the numbers have continued to grow. These are especially Eastleigh in Nairobi and Old Town, Mombasa. The situation in those areas has now become of serious concern. In order to contain the spread of infection in these two particular areas the government has recommended that further containment measures will be followed,” Kagwe said.
The government further ordered that all eateries and markets in those areas are to close down and no public transport is allowed to go into those areas for the said period.
Kagwe added that the cost of targeted testing and government quarantine facilities will be met by the state with effect from Wednesday, May 6.
“Government quarantine facilities will be occupied by those told to do so by the Ministry of Health, (and) will be given that facility free of charge. This is to facilitate those who may feel that they do not want to go for testing because of the cost of quarantine.”
Kenyans had caused uproar over the Sh2,000 a day (about $19) cost of staying at the isolation facilities arguing that most people could hardly afford a meal let alone pay for such facilities.
Aside from the new cases and containment measures, Kagwe added that there were also eight new recoveries bringing the total number to 190 while there were two new deaths from the virus raising the national death toll to 26.
“Of more serious concern regarding those deceased persons is that both of them, aged 68 and 72 respectively, actually passed away at home,” Kagwe said.
