Damilola IsmailKenya has confirmed its first case of the new coronavirus, Minister of Health Mutahi Kagwe said on Friday.
The 27 year-old patient, a Kenyan who was diagnosed on the night of March 12, had traveled back to Kenya from the United States via London, Kagwe told a news conference.
He said that although the patient, a woman, is stable and eating, she will not be released from hospital until she is confirmed negative. She is currently receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital’s Infectious Disease Unit.
The government says it has traced all contacts the patient made since her arrival.
“We have done all the contact tracing and have all the names including the people who sat next to her on the flights she took,” he said.
Consequently, Kenya has suspended all travel outside the country to affected countries unless absolutely necessary
All public gatherings, rallies, crusades, and meetings of a national nature have all been banned. This includes Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) rallies. Interschool activities like drama, music festivals and sports have been also been banned.
However, churches will continue to operate as usual as long they provide hand sanitisers to their congregants.
CS Kagwe urged Kenyans to remain calm, noting that there’s no need for panic or worry provided people abide by the measures put in place.
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