Kenya records highest daily increase in new COVID-19 infections

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The Cabinet Secretary in Kenya's Ministry of Health, Mutahi Kagwe (Second L) speaks during a COVID-19 briefing in Nairobi. /Photo Courtesy: Ministry of Health – Kenya

Kenya has reported its highest daily increase in new COVID-19 infections after 45 people tested positive in the past 24 hours, pointing to a deteriorating situation in the country.

The Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Mutahi Kagwe, announced the figure, expressing concerns over community transmission.

"Out of 1,077 tested, some 45 people have turned positive. This is the highest number recorded in 24 hours ever since the first case on March 12," Kagwe said in a press briefing in Nairobi on Tuesday.

Kagwe noted that the new cases comprised of 30 males and 15 females. He added that nine patients had been discharged, bringing the country's total number of recoveries to 182.

The CS warned Kenyans against stigmatizing people who were infected with the virus or recovered from it.

"We continue to observe beaviour and practices which stigmatize persons who have either contacted or recovered from the disease. There is not a single person who is immune to the virus," he said.

Kagwe also warned Kenyans against defying the regulations laid out by the government in a bid to curb further spread of COVID-19.

"Those of you who continue on this path of exploiting Kenyans, on this path of exposing Kenyans, will bear the brunt of the law. We will take action. You will face the law," he said.

The CS projected even higher daily new infections if Kenyans do not adhere to the restrictive measures aimed at stopping further spread of the disease.

Kenya is one of 52 countries in Africa that have reported COVID-19 cases. The continent has registered more than 47,000 infections and over 1,800 deaths, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Kagwe in his briefing also urged faithful not to flout the social distancing guidelines during any festivities and religious occasions.

Source(s): Ministry of Health – Kenya