This archive report was first published on 20 April 2020.
Kenya's COVID-19 cases have risen to 281 after 11 new cases were confirmed on April 20, 2020. The new cases include 7 from Mombasa and 4 from Ruaka in Nairobi.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced the new cases during a regular media briefing at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
According to Kagwe, none of the new cases have a recent history of travel, and 5 are females while 6 are male. 7 of the new cases are from quarantine centers, and 4 were picked up by surveillance teams from various parts of the country.
As of April 20, 2020, Kenya had lost 14 people to the virus. To prevent the spread of the virus, the government has implemented a national curfew and cessation of movement in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kwale, and Kilifi counties.
However, many people have continued to defy the curfew order, prompting the government to start taking anyone found outside to quarantine centers. As of April 20, 2020, security forces had already isolated 455 people countrywide.
Health CS Mutahi Kagwe warned that once someone is found outside during curfew hours, it is assumed that they have been exposed to the disease. The government has designated 33 active quarantine facilities across the country.
With mass testing kicking off in various parts of the country, the focus has now shifted to protecting those on the frontline. The government has distributed 4,759 personal protection kits and 237 assorted components like N95 and surgical masks to health workers.
