Update: The Ministry of Health sent a rapid response team to Ongata Rongai, Nairobi, where the 27-year-old woman who tested positive for Coronavirus lives.
The first case of coronavirus was confirmed in Kenya by Health CS Mutahi Kagwe in a press conference on Friday, March 13.
"This is a message from the emergency committee created by President Uhuru Kenyatta to deal with coronavirus issue. When I spoke at the Senate during my vetting, I said that as far as Corona is concerned, it is not a question of if but when it reached Kenya.
"I want to inform you that the Ministry of Health has confirmed the first case in Kenya. It was confirmed last night, Thursday, March 12," Kagwe proclaimed.
She is a Kenyan citizen who travelled back to Nairobi, returning from the US via London, UK on March 5, 2020.
The Ministry of Health acquired a list of all individuals who came in contact with the infected lady and launched a process to track them down.
"We really want to thank this lady because the moment she felt slightly unwell, she took herself to hospital. She also gave a list of all the people she was in contact with since arriving, as well as their contacts, We have a response team that is tracking down all those people including all the passengers who were in her flight. They will be monitored for 14 days and subjected to quarantine and quarantine is not a request it is a must - if you do not self-quarantine, we will have to take you to a controlled facility.
"I would like to add, however, she is stable, her temperature has gone down to normal, she is eating. She cannot be released until she is confirmed negative. She is okay. Therefore, there is no need for alarm in our nation. The government commits to strengthening measures to prevent transmission of the disease.
"The National Emergency Response Committee on Coronavirus Preparedness will continue to provide strategic leadership, working through all government approach in the implementation of mitigation measures. I wish to assure all Kenyans that we have been beefing up our preparedness capacity since the first confirmation disease in China," Kagwe stated.
"Kenyans are reminded that those being infected will have mild symptoms and can recover easily but can be severe in others, especially the elderly persons. I have invoked the Public Health Act. I urge all Kenyans to observe the stipulated measures towards prevention," the CS added.
Health experts have been insisting that the best way to prevent infection is through proper handwashing with the masks serving only a minimal advantage. One can also maintain one metre between them and someone who is coughing or sneezing.
The CS also directed persons with a cough or sneeze to stay home and maintain good respiratory hygiene by covering their mouth when coughing or sneezing.
"We have suspended all public activities, meetings, religious crusades, games and all events that are of a huge public measure. Normal church services can go on provided that they provide sanitising and hand washing as people go into the worshipping areas. We have also suspended all inter-school events but schools remain open.
"Public Service providers are directed to provide hand sanitisers for their clients and wash their vehicles regularly. We have banned all visits to prison for 30 days. We have placed travel restrictions outside the country, unless necessary.," Kagwe added.
Kagwe lastly called on all Kenyans to be cautious and work towards a collective responsibility.
"This is that time when we are calling for serious citizen responsibility. This is not a situation where we depend on the government. It is time we take responsibility as a nation," Kagwe rallied.
Video: Citizen TV
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