This archive report was first published on 6 July 2020.
As Kenya prepares to reopen on July 6, the government's plan to lift COVID-19 restrictions faces a daunting challenge: rising infections.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced that the restrictions will be lifted to boost the economy, but health experts warn that the country is at an exponential stage of infections.
According to the Ministry of Health, as of June 28, 85,142 samples had been tested, and 4,049 people were found positive. This is a sharp increase from March, when 3,419 samples were tested, and 78 turned positive.
Health Chief Administrative Secretary Mercy Mwangangi noted that the reopening of the country depends on the level of preparedness of counties in terms of testing, treating, and caring for patients.
Kenya is currently implementing a home-based care model for COVID-19 patients to prevent the disease from over-running the health system.
The pandemic has hit the East African nation's economy harder, with all sectors hurt, but in particular tourism and export trade. According to the World Bank, Kenya's gross domestic product is expected to decelerate in 2020 due to the negative impact of COVID-19.
