This archive report was first published on 7 July 2020.
July 7, 2020 - Nairobi, Kenya - The Ministry of Health has sounded the alarm on the country's health system, warning that it is on the brink of collapse due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases.
With the peak of the pandemic predicted to start in August, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has urged county governments to improve their capacity to accommodate coronavirus patients, warning that patients will be treated where they are.
Speaking on Tuesday, Kagwe announced 183 new coronavirus cases, raising the country's caseload to 8,250, and reiterated that the country is staring at overwhelmed health facilities if the cases continue to rise.
"There will be no capacity for you to be brought to Nairobi for treatment because chances are by the time you are being brought, Nairobi itself would have been overwhelmed if it comes to that," Kagwe said.
Kenya has been on a partial lockdown due to cessation of movement into and out of Nairobi, Mombasa, and Mandera until July 6, when President Uhuru Kenyatta lifted the travel ban. A night curfew from 9pm remains in force until August 6.
