The number of COVID-19 infections in Kenya surpassed the 8,000 mark on Monday as the country announced a gradual phase-down of restrictions.
The Ministry of Health announced 181 new infections, taking the East African country’s total to 8,067.
Kenya now becomes just the tenth country in Africa to surpass the 8,000 mark.
The health ministry also announced that the country had reported four deaths in the last 24 hours, taking its total tally to 164.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta earlier announced a gradual reopening of the country’s economy, which has taken a battering following a months-long lockdown.
Kenyatta in a televised briefing announced a reopening of the borders of the country’s hardest-hit regions, including the capital Nairobi and the coastal city of Mombasa.
The president also announced a planned resumption of both domestic and international flights over the next three weeks.
He however warned Kenyans against relaxing their vigilance, saying the success of the country’s battle against COVID-19 depended on every citizen taking proactive measures to stop its spread.
He also warned that the government may be forced to reconsider relaxing the restrictions if the situation worsened.
