This archive report was first published on 22 May 2020.
On May 22, 2020, Kenya's health officials were projecting the peak of COVID-19 cases in August or September, with up to 200 cases expected daily.
According to Dr. Patrick Amoth, Director General of Health at the Ministry of Health, the country's health systems would likely be able to cope with the peak if Kenyans continued to implement hygiene measures.
Dr. Amoth made the announcement at a press conference where Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced 80 new infections, raising the total to 1,109.
With increased testing capacity, Dr. Amoth said the number of cases would increase in the coming months, but emphasized the importance of continued hygiene measures to manage the spread of the virus.
“We project now that our peak will be in August and September but remember modeling keeps on changing based on the variables that have been put and our wish is to continue with the measures that we have put in place that has enabled us to have a smoother curve that our health systems have not been over-ran,” Dr. Amoth said.
He urged Kenyans not to be apprehensive, pointing out that the economy could gradually be opened if they implemented the hygiene measures, such as hand washing, physical distancing, and avoiding gatherings.
