Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has confirmed yet another Coronavirus case in the country, taking the total tally to four.
The CS made the revelation while he addressed a press conference held at Afya House on Tuesday, March 17 informing that the patient had travelled from London on March 9, 2020.
Kagwe further stated that 23 persons who had been quarantined at the isolation and treatment facility in Mbagathi had been released and asked to self quarantined at home.
He further informed that the government had embarked on tracing all persons suspected to have come in contact with the patient.
Kagwe revealed that the government has made 110 Coronavirus case tests. In tracking the web created by the patients who have already tested positive, the CS stated that the surveillance team had already traced 36 contacts.
He stated that the government was still open to flights from outside the country. The CS directed that self-quarantine was not an option but mandatory, warning that serious action would be taken against any person guilty of violating the directive.
Kagwe stated that the public health act invoked should be treated seriously as he explained that travellers arriving in the country would be compelled to swear a legal document.
"When the public health act has been invoked, quarantine is not a voluntary measure, it is a mandated measure that can lead to a fine and a jail sentence,
"This measure at the airport is going to be instituted by making those entering into the country swear a legal document that they will comply with what they are supposed to do," he stated.
On cushioning the country's economy, Kagwe revealed that Cargo planes are allowed to land in Kenya provided they disinfect at their points of take off.
"In order to mitigate the losses to the economy, we have considered and found ways to ensure that cargo vessels (ships and aircraft) are allowed in as long as they are disinfected in ports of departure and crews quarantined," Kagwe stated.
He urged that members of the public to remain calm, issuing a warning against Coronavirus stories that would only dispel panic. The CS further asked that Kenyans strictly follow the guidelines issued by the state to avoid any case of further spreading of the virus.
"The regulations and guidelines issued by the government must be followed only until the government feels that the situation has scaled-down," Kagwe stated.
Responding to a question as to whether the country would declare a lockdown, the CS stated that it was an option but the government would first monitor how Citizens reacted to preventive measures.
The CS stated has urged Kenyans to personally ensure hygiene by proper washing of hands, arguing that it would force suppliers into reducing pricers of sanitizers.
"We are asking Supermarkets to provide water points for people to wash their hands so that sellers of sanitizers can bring down the prices," Kagwe pronounced.
He stated that the Ministry of Health was in currently negotiating with the Ministry of Water so as to waive water bills accrued until the virus is contained. This, the CS stated would ensure all water taps in the country are running.
The CS has stated that patients suspected to have the virus in remote and marginalised areas of the country will be airlifted to Nairobi, insisting, only if the case is considered serious.
Members of the public have been adviced to practice utmost hygiene measures to curb the spread of Coronavirus.
