This archive report was first published on 5 May 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread in Kenya, the government has issued a warning against a growing trend: buying face masks in bulk.
According to Health Chief Administrative Secretary Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, vendors are selling masks in sizes that are not clearly labeled, and customers are often purchasing multiple masks at once.
"We have observed that most people are not wearing masks the right way," Dr. Mwangangi said. "A few of us are having the hang on their chins until they meet a law enforcing officer, for them quickly pull it up, and others are fitting them before buying."
The government has also expressed concern over the increasing number of cases in the country, with 490 confirmed cases as of Monday, May 4. The majority of the new cases are in Nairobi, with hotspots in Mathare, Embakasi, Umoja, and Kawangware.
Dr. Mwangangi warned that the virus is now fully in the communities and the rate of infection is not going down. She urged every citizen to be responsible and play their part in helping the government combat the spread of the virus that has so far claimed 24 lives in the country.
As of May 4, globally, there were 3.5 million infections and more than 250,000 deaths.
