Kenya recorded a record high in the number of new coronavirus cases on Wednesday after 184 cases were confirmed in 24 hours, taking the total toll to 4,044, reported All Africa. The first coronavirus case in the country was reported on March 12.
Kenya’s Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Rashid Aman said the new cases were recorded from 2,518 samples tested in the last 24 hours pushing the cumulative samples to 124, 474.
Out of the 184 positive cases, Nairobi recorded 111 cases, Mombasa recorded 19, Kajiado recorded 14, Meru 13, Kiambu nine, Busia six, Nakuru four, Machakos three with Kwale, Garissa, Kisumu, Taita Taveta and Vihiga counties recording a case each. 129 off the new cases are men and 55 are women.
“We are likely to see larger numbers of positive cases,” Dr. Aman warned.
He appealed Kenyans to observe hygiene and the safety measures advised by the Ministry of Health as positive cases could likely overwhelm the country’s health facilities if mitigation measures put in place are not adhered to. He added that 27 more people have been discharged, bringing total recoveries to 1,353. Two patients died of the virus, raising the toll to 107.
“When we tell you to put on a mask, stop social gatherings and stay at home, it is not that we are policing you, we are instead protecting you,” Dr Aman said.
The Kenyan government imposed a nationwide curfew and a partial lockdown in a bid to stop further spread of COVID-19. But the restrictions were eased last month as the country’s economy was badly impacted by the lockdown measures. Schools, churches and institutions were also ordered shut as the government banned public gatherings.
As the current set of restrictions is due to end in Kenya in early July, it is feared that the situation might get worse if the number of coronavirus cases continue to increase at the current rate.
Africa has reported over 252,000 cases and over 6,700 deaths so far, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
