• The country in on its third month of the virus and the cases are surging compared to the first-two months.
Image: MERCY MUMO
The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases continued to surge, after 72 new infections were reported on Monday.
The cases came from 2,711 samples tested in the last 24 hours.
This brings the total number of infections to 1,286 across the country.
Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Mercy Mwangangi, said so far 61,971 people have been tested for the virus.
She said out of the 72 positive cases, 70 are Kenyan, one Somali national and one Ugandan.
The CAS said that 44 positive people are male while the others are female.
Nairobi and Mombasa continued to record high number of the cases in the country.
In Nairobi, the cases spread as follows: Lang'ata 21, Dagoretti North 15, Dagoretti South 1, Kamukunji 4, Kibra 4, Embakasi East 2, Kasarani 3 while Makadara and Mathare had one case each.
At the same time, one more patient succumbed to the virus, bringing the number of deaths since March 13 to 52.
The government said nine more patients have been discharged from health facilities after testing negative, adding to 402 people who defeated the virus.
The 72 new cases are much higher compared to 22 registered on Sunday.
The CAS asked Kenyans to continue observing the directives given by the government to reduce the number of new cases.
The pandemic has paralysed the economy of the country since businesses were closed in March to reduce further spread.
Schools were closed and cessation movement into and out of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi was imposed by President Uhuru Kenyatta to mitigate the spread.
On May 23, the president announced Sh53.7 billion Economic Stimulus Programme that will help the country to sustain its economy as it continue to fight the virus.
At the same time, the president said the country might ease the curfew in order to allow people to continue with their businesses as they continue adhering to the given directives.
The country in on its third month of the virus and the cases are surging compared to the first-two months.
High number of cases are threatening government’s consideration of reopening schools on June.
"I have told my Cabinet Secretaries that we cannot stay in lockdown forever. But if we open up the country by lifting the restrictions and the virus continues to spread, it will be our fault for not taking the precautions outlined," President Uhuru Kenyatta said on Saturday.
"If we follow the government measures, we shall rise.. we shall overcome... ."
Uhuru said that if Kenyans stay the course, we shall overcome the challenges.
"Let us remain true to our countries.We know that many Kenyans are hurting but we do not have a choice but ensure that we deal with this disease," he said.
"I have no worry that when we work together, we will fight this disease."