WHO warns Kenya to treat covid-19 decline with caution

The World Health Organization has warned Kenya to treat the decline in Covid-19 infections with caution.

In a statement on Monday, WHO said that the decline should not be interpreted to meant that Kenya is flattening the curve.

"We would warn against premature relaxation of the effective measures put in place by the Kenyan government. We advice that the wearing of masks, the frequent washing or sanitising should remain in place." reads part of the statement.

WHO urged Kenya to fasten its testing to capture a greater proportion of suspected cases within the testing regime.

This comes after President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday lauded Kenya for doing a remarkable job that had begun to flatten the curve.

"We must not celebrate this happy moment too soon, but rather celebrate it with caution…the curve begins to flatten after it reaches its highest point, this is the most dangerous point." The president said.

The organization also noted that health systems and public health surveillance should be factored when determining whether the decline is because transmission has been effectively reduced.

"As encouraging as the report may be, this cannot be stated conclusively, since the positivity rate can be interpreted only with comprehensive surveillance and testing of suspected cases." WHO said. Kenya has continued to record low numbers of new covid-19 cases during the month of August but senior government officials have warned that flattening the curve might take longer. Health Ministry CAS Mercy Mwangangi said a drop in the number of positive cases was not a pointer that curve is being flattened amid testing gridlocks and new hot spots emerging in rural counties.