This archive report was first published on 16 July 2020.
On July 16, 2020, Kenya marked a significant milestone in its fight against COVID-19, with a record 570 patients being cleared after recovery.
According to Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, 512 patients were receiving home-based care, while 58 were admitted to various hospitals.
Unfortunately, eight fatalities were also recorded on the same day, bringing the total death toll since March to 217.
Kenya has now cleared a total of 3,638 coronavirus patients.
Speaking on the progress, Kagwe expressed his gratitude to healthcare workers, saying, "I cannot thank the health care workers enough for what they are continuing to do in the movement towards the home-based care programme."
He also emphasized the importance of the home-based care program, which accommodates asymptomatic patients and those with mild symptoms, and is done under strict protocols by caregivers.
However, Kagwe warned that the surge in COVID-19 infections should not come as a surprise, as the government had projected an increase in cases once travel restrictions were lifted on July 6.
He urged Kenyans to be more cautious, saying, "Freedom comes with responsibility, and therefore what happens next is not the question of what the question does but the role played by individual citizens."
With the number of positive cases hitting 11,673 on July 16, there are fears that the government may re-introduce lockdowns in major cities like Nairobi, Mombasa, and other major towns to manage the crisis.
