This archive report was first published on 16 July 2020.
July 16, 2020 - Nairobi, Kenya - The Kenyan government has announced a record 570 COVID-19 recoveries, the highest on a single day, as the country continues to battle the pandemic.
According to Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, 512 patients are receiving home-based care, while 58 are admitted to various hospitals.
Unfortunately, eight fatalities were also recorded on Thursday, bringing the death toll to 217 since March.
Kenya has now cleared 3,638 coronavirus patients.
Healthcare workers have been instrumental in the country's efforts to combat the pandemic, with Kagwe expressing his gratitude for their tireless efforts.
"I cannot thank the healthcare workers enough for what they are continuing to do in the movement towards the home-based care programme," he said.
Asymptomatic cases in Kenya are now being referred back home for self-isolation and treatment under strict protocols.
The government has committed to providing the best healthcare services to patients who have contracted the disease.
However, Kagwe urged Kenyans to be more cautious following a surge in positive cases, which hit 11,673 on Thursday.
He attributed the surge to the lifting of travel restrictions on July 6, which was expected to lead to an increase in infections.
"It should not shock Kenyans because we expected these numbers," Kagwe said.
There are fears that the government may re-introduce lockdowns in major cities like Nairobi, Mombasa, and other major towns to manage the crisis.
