Since Coronavirus penetrated Africa, with Nigeria, Egypt, Senegal and South Africa confirming cases of the deadly virus, Kenya has been on high alert. There have been suspected cases of the virus in some parts of the country, but they turned out negative. Like other countries across the globe, the Kenyan government has been updating the public, encouraging them to be on the lookout and quickly report any cases.
In its latest update to the public, the government has banned all international conferences into the country for the next 30 days. Kenya open golf tournament among other public events have cancelled for now. On Thursday, the Ministry of Health released a list of 14 counties that are at high risk of experiencing the outbreak.
Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Kiambu, Uasin Gishu, Kajiado, Busia, Migori, Kilifi, Kakamega, Kajiado, Nakuru, Wajir and Garissa were listed as the most susceptible to the deadly virus because a majority are entry points into the country.
According to Ministry of Health’s Disease Surveillance and Epidemic Response head Dr Daniel Lang’atLangat, the Wolrd Health Organisation (WHO) has identified Kenya as a high-risk area due to the huge number of foreign nationals from the affected countries and the deeply rooted culture of shaking of hands.
The World Health Organization urged Kenya to enhance vigilance at ports of entry and conduct hygiene education targeting civilians in order to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading into the country, So far over 800 health workers have been trained in Nairobi Naivasha and Machakos, and there are plans to roll out the programme nationally.
