Eight More People Test Positive for Covid-19 in Kenya, Tally Rises to 216

The total number of coronavirus infections in Kenya has climbed to 216 after eight new cases were confirmed on Tuesday.

The eight new cases were detected from a total of 694 samples tested in the past 24 hours, Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Dr. Mercy Mwangangi said in a media briefing at Afya House.

Six out of the eight cases are from various government quarantine facilities while two were picked by the Health Ministry’s surveillance team.

Six of the cases were recorded in Nairobi while Siaya and Nakuru registered one case each. Five of the new patients are Kenyans and three foreign nationals.

Dr. Mwangangi also announced that one additional patient has recovered from the illness, raising the tally of recoveries to 41. The death toll still stands at nine.

Dr. Mwangangi further announced the ministry will roll out mass testing for Covid-19 targeting specific places based on the risk of transmission. The areas include slums, hotels, quarantine facilities, hospitals in Nairobi, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), as well as Mombasa, Kilifi, Mandera, and Siaya Counties. The first phase of the exercise will see 12,000 individuals around the country tested for Covid-19.

"The virus is now domiciled across the length and breadth of the country," said Mwangangi.

“Let’s keep engaging each other through the available platforms, let's counsel each other and our brother’s keepers dear Kenyans, stand together with us, your families, partners, and the community,” Dr. Mwangangi pleaded with Kenyans.