This archive report was first published on 7 May 2020.
Kenya's COVID-19 cases surged on April 6, 2020, with the country recording 47 new cases, the highest daily tally since the outbreak.
The Health Ministry confirmed the new cases, taking the total number of infections to 582, with 26 fatalities.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced that two more patients had died, bringing the total number of fatalities to 26.
The two patients died at their home in Mombasa, according to reports.
Of the 47 new cases, 11 were from Nairobi, 32 from Mombasa, two from Busia, and one each from Kiambu and Kwale.
Majority of the cases in Mombasa and Nairobi were reported in Old Town and Eastleigh respectively.
Fortunately, 8 more patients were discharged from hospitals, bringing the total number of recoveries to 190.
As a result, the government halted the movement in and out of Eastleigh in Nairobi and Old Town in Mombasa.
The Health Ministry also announced that the government would incur the quarantine fee for COVID-19 patients.
COVID-19 Testing for Truck Drivers ¶
As part of the government's efforts to combat the spread of the virus, Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia announced that all cross-border truck drivers would have to be tested 48 hours before leaving Nairobi or Mombasa.
The drivers would be required to produce a COVID-19 free certificate at the border points.
According to Macharia, the directive would apply to drivers leaving the country as well as those entering the country.
The government also resolved that the drivers would be tested after every two weeks, and the certificate would be renewed.
Emergency Allowances for Health Workers ¶
Meanwhile, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) approved Ksh. 3 billion emergency allowance and benefits for COVID-19 front-line health workers for three months.
SRC Chairperson Lynn Mengich wrote to Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani over the same.
