This archive report was first published on 8 May 2020.
On May 8, 2020, the Ministry of Health in Kenya confirmed 14 new COVID-19 cases, including an 11-month-old baby, out of 922 samples analyzed in 24 hours.
The new cases bring the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 621, with the oldest patient being a 49-year-old.
According to the Ministry of Health, the new cases are distributed as follows: four cases from Kasarani, two cases from Makadara, and one case each from Umoja 1, South C, Irigu in Dagoretti South, Machakos, and mandatory quarantine. The three cases in Mombasa are from Likoni, while the one case in Machakos is from Athi River.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aman announced that five patients had been discharged, bringing the total recoveries to 202. He praised the dedication and commitment of healthcare workers, saying, 'These are achievements that we must celebrate. This would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of our healthcare workers. I want to thank them for their courage and spirit of patriotism.'
Aman also emphasized the importance of washing hands, maintaining social distancing, and adhering to measures outlined by the health ministry. He appealed to Kenyans to receive warmly and celebrate those who have recovered from COVID-19, saying, 'We should not stigmatize them.'
Additionally, the Ministry of Health is working with seven county governments to prevent the spread of coronavirus among people displaced by floods. Aman noted that the displaced people have been forced to congregate in makeshift camps, increasing the risk of contracting the virus.
As part of efforts to control the spread of the virus, the Ministry of Health is expanding testing capacity countrywide to test cross-border drivers at the point of origin, in line with an earlier directive requiring all truck drivers to be tested before embarking on travel.
