Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday announced the number of people infected with coronavirus in the country has reached 234 as nine more people had tested positive for the virus, reported The East African. Eleven people have succumbed to the virus so far, while 53 have recovered from it.
He also announced that more than 1,000 people were currently under quarantine while at least 156 were in isolation facilities. Those who have contracted the virus are from the age range of 2 years to 64 years.
President Kenyatta acknowledged efforts and work done by medical practioners, government officials and other agencies for their stellar response in the fight against Covid-19. He added that measures implemented by the government are helping to slow down the rate the virus is spreading in Kenya, but warned the people to still maintain caution.
He announced that the government has introduced additional measures to limit individual exposure to the virus and its spread within the communities.
He ordered the Public service and health ministry of Kenya to develop a welfare package for health workers; the plan should include action by medical insurance companies to cover medical officers.
“The National government has also released Sh8.5 billion to elderly persons and Sh500 million that was in arrears has been released to persons with severe disabilities,” Kenyatta said. “The national government has also released an additional Sh5 billion to counties to cushion vulnerable Kenyans. Piloting of the fund will be done in Nairobi.”
To further protect Kenyans from the impact of lockdown, the president said needy households have already been identified in Nairobi and will receive the weekly COVID-19 stipend. The program began in Nairobi last week.
Kenya has conducted more than 10,000 coronavirus tests since the first case was reported last month. The country has received around 40,000 testing kits on Wednesday that will help to increase the testing capacity in line with the three-fold approach of testing, isolating and treating.
