•The true meaning of Easter is victory over death. Let's rededicate ourselves to the fight of our times - CS Kagwe.
Image: MERCY MUMO
Kenya has reported five new coronavirus cases, bringing the country's total number to 189, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has said.
During the daily briefing on Covid-19, the CS on Friday said the patients are all Kenyans and one has a history of travel from the UAE.
Three are from Mombasa, while Nairobi and Nyandarua have one case each.
They are between 27 and 58; three are male, two female.
The CS also said another 10 individuals have recovered, bringing the total to 22.
Kagwe said the five new cases were out of 504 samples tested.
Friday marks Day 30 of efforts to stop the spread of the virus.
"Indeed, our ways of life have changed dramatically. Good Friday would have been that special day when we congregate with family and friend. But this day is different," Kagwe said.
"The true meaning of Easter is victory over death. Let's rededicate ourselves to the fight of our times."
Kagwe warned Kenyans against handling of cash which could hurt efforts to curb spread of the virus.
He said many Kenyans were not heeding advice of using mobile money.
Kagwe acknowledged the problem of disposing of face masks.
A guideline will be sent to the counties and Kenyans have been urged to follow it.
More than 100,000 medical workers, 4,000 doctors have received training on managing coronavirus.
Test kits have been delivered to enable automatic testing and Friday will be the first day they are used.
Hiring of the 5,000 health workers will be done by the counties through the County Service Board.
Earlier, President Uhuru Kenyatta said that even as we celebrate Easter, today we are in a storm.
"We have refused to give up and we will see the end of Covid-19 pandemic in Kenya," Uhuru said in a statement on Friday.
He urged Kenyans to come together during these tough times to pray and 'come together by staying apart'.
"We have always found inspiration in ourselves and each other to find the sunshine after the storm. We must come together by staying apart and breaking the chain of infection," he said.