This archive report was first published on 5 May 2020.
May 5, 2020 - Nairobi, Kenya - The government is sounding the alarm over the rapid spread of COVID-19 infections in Eastleigh, a suburb in Nairobi, after 29 cases were reported on Tuesday, the highest from any region on a single day.
This surge in cases has pushed the total number of infections in the country to 535, raising concerns among health officials.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe attributed the rise in cases to community spreading in areas such as Eastleigh, Kawangware, and Mombasa Old Town, which have been identified as hotspots.
"I want to thank these people for turning up for mass testing," Kagwe said during a news briefing on Tuesday. "This is a good thing because without doing that they could have been out there up to now."
Health CS Mutahi Kagwe speaking during a news briefing on Tuesday. The government has warned people, particularly traders who have re-opened businesses, to strictly follow guidelines from the Ministry of Health to prevent further spread of the virus. As the situation continues to deteriorate, the government has hinted at introducing new measures to contain the outbreak, which will be announced later this week.
