The latest casualty in the coronavirus pandemic is a six-year-old boy.He died at the Kenyatta National Hospital, bringing the number of coronavirus deaths in Kenya to four.Speaking to journalists when she gave the daily update, Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi (pictured) said the boy had underlying health issues.
The number of coronavirus confirmed cases in Kenya has since reached 122.In the last 24 hours, new confirmed cases total 12. They are in isolation.Nine of the cases were detected in quarantine.
The 12 were reported in Kiambu (one), Laikipia (one), Mombasa (two), Nairobi (seven) and Nyeri (one).
So far some 648 people are being traced.The Health CAS said some 617 people in quarantine are yet to be tested.Since the disease was reported in Kenya, 1,073 people have been discharged from quarantine.The ages of those confirmed is between 28 and 68 years, Mwangangi told journalists on Friday.
According to the CAS, 204 countries have confirmed coronavirus cases.
Continued collaborationThe Health CAS urged citizens not to hoard oxygen cylinders and called for continued collaboration in the counties for better accountability.Mwangangi added that measures are in place to ensure personal protective gear is available for healthworkers.Boda boda and tuk-tuk operators have further been urged to wear masks.
Mwangangi was with Trade CS Betty Maina, who said there have been challenges in ensuring uninterrupted supply of medical cmmodities.Ordering the supplies is a problem because the demand across the globe is high.But the Kenya Textile industry seems to be working to seal the loophole.Maina said the local textile industry will produce masks. She added that on Friday morning, some of the locally manufactured personal protective gear and masks were presented to the Kenya National Bureau of Standards. They will be distributed to residents starting Monday. Maina urged Kenyans to ensure they wear the three-ply mask which will protect them against dust and the virus. “We have the capacity…the material is enough to make 60 million masks immediately.” She said the number will ensure all Kenyans, even those in the villages, have access to the masks. By close of business on Friday, Kenya will have produced one million masks, the CS added. The protective gear will alsobe made in Kenya, certified by the Health ministry and KNBS.
Jael Mboga
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