![Health CS Mutahi Kagwe announced Tuesday, March 17 that the fourth patient arrived in Kenya on March 9 from London, United Kingdom. [PHOTO | FILE]](https://i0.wp.com/www.k24tv.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/MUTAHI-KAGWE.jpg?resize=730%2C414&ssl=1)
Kenya has reported its first confirmed case of coronavirus.
Health minister Mutahi Kagwe announced Friday, March 13, that a 27-year-old Kenyan woman, who arrived in the country on March 5 from the United States of America via London has tested positive for coronavirus.
The patient’s health status was confirmed Thursday night, said the Health Cabinet Secretary.
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Her samples were taken to the National Influenza Laboratory, where results confirmed that the patient had the virus.
The woman, who came from Chicago, had reported that she had a persistent cough.
“The moment she felt unwell, she took herself to hospital, where her samples were taken for testing,” said Mutahi Kagwe while addressing the media at Harambee House.
The minister says other passengers who travelled alongside the 27-year-old woman have been identified and authorities have reached them to ask them to take coronavirus tests.
The CS further said that the woman has revealed all the people she has interacted with in Kenya.
“The passengers who travelled with her, especially those who shared a row with her, those who were two rows behind or in front of her, have been identified and reached,” said Kagwe.
"The Ministry of Health also has all the names of the people she has physically interacted with while in Kenya. The persons she came into contact with will be monitored for at least 14 days," said the Health CS.
"We direct those whom she interacted with regularly to self-quarantine," added the CS.
The woman, who is unmarried and stays alone, is currently admitted at the Kenyatta National Hospital.
“The woman’s body temperature is stable. She, however, cannot be discharged from hospital until she tests negative for the coronavirus,” said Kagwe.
The Health minister announced that the Government has suspended all public gatherings, including crusades, meetings, sporting activities, political rallies and international conferences.
The Government has advised Kenyans to stay at home when experiencing severe symptoms such as coughing, sneezing and high fever and, immediately, seek medical help.
