President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday announced that the total number of COVID-19 cases in Kenya rose to 2,600 after 126 more patients tested positive.
President Kenyatta, addressing the nation at State House in Nairobi, said the fatalities had also increased to 83 after 4 patients died from the disease.
Due to the rising number of infections and fatalities, the Head of State said, the government found it impractical to relax the restrictions currently in force aimed at combating the spread of the disease.
According to the Head of State, the COVID-19 situation in Kenya does not meet a list of three thresholds for relaxation as advised by health professionals and public practitioners.
“The irreducible minimum for lifting restrictions has three thresholds; One, to open up, the infections must be contained and the number of infections and deaths must be headed downwards. This is currently not the case in our country,” he said.
“Our healthcare system must be prepared sufficiently to take on a surge in infections. It must not be overwhelmed at any one point during this pandemic. Access to testing, isolation and quarantine must be a bare minimum in our health facilities. This is not the case currently.”
He further added: “The capacity for surveillance and contact tracing must also be fully in place across the country.”
Hence, President Kenyatta said, the ban on all forms of gatherings – including but not limited to political gatherings, social gatherings and bars – has been extended for a further 30 days.
He also noted that “due to the evolving nature of the disease globally, international travel restrictions are hereby extended.”
Source: Citizentv.co.ke