Kenya’s COVID-19 cases rise to 2,474 as lockdown nears end
CGTN
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Reuters Image

Kenya on Thursday reported 134 new COVID-19 cases, taking the country’s total tally to 2,474, one day before the scheduled end of a nationwide nighttime curfew and partial lockdown.

The new figures were announced by Dr Mercy Mwangangi, the Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the Health Ministry.

Dr Mwangangi urged Kenyans to get more involved in the country’s fight against the disease which has now killed more than 391,000 people globally.

She noted that one more COVID-19-relted death had been reported in the last 24 hours, bringing the country’s total number of fatalities to 79.

The CAS also noted that the country’s focus in the fight against COVId-19 was focusing more on the county level in a bid to tackle community spread.

“We appeal to counties to move with speed to utilize the Ksh 5 billion that has already been disbursed to them to ensure that they upgrade their health facilities in readiness of managing COVID-19 cases,” Dr Mwangangi said.

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Kenyan government imposed a nighttime curfew and partial lockdown, and has since extended the measures twice already. The latest extension of both measures is due to end on Saturday.

President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to hold a national briefing on Saturday to outline the country’s way forward regarding the fight against COVID-19.