COVID -19: 4 more confirmed as ‘partying’ quarantined persons to stay longer in confinement

The Government on Saturday, April 4, announced that four more people had tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in Kenya to 126.

The four were discovered from 372 samples tested between Friday and Saturday.

The new cases comprise three Kenyans and one Pakistani national.

Two out of the four were imported infections, with one travelling from Malawi and the other from Pakistani.

The age range of the new infections is 34 to 44 years.

While announcing the new infections on Saturday at Afya House, Health Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe, said out of the 2, 050 persons under mandatory 14-day quarantine, 1, 866 have been tested.

“Only 184 persons are yet to be tested,” said CS Kagwe.

The minister announced that the Government has monitored 1, 781 contacts of previous confirmed cases, out of which 1, 100 have been discharged upon expiry of the 14-day quarantine period.

“We are currently monitoring 672 contacts,” said CS Kagwe.

The minister said persons in mandatory 14-day quarantine account for the highest number of confirmed infections in the country.

The CS announced that the Government plans to extend the quarantine period of suspected carriers, who “interacted closely with each other and with now-confirmed cases during isolation”.

Kagwe said some of the quarantined persons shared facilities, whereas others defied social distancing guidelines, hence increasing the chances of contracting the disease.

“Some even went on partying sprees while under mandatory quarantine,” said the CS.

“To contain the transmission arising from those in mandatory quarantine, the Government has decided to extend the quarantine period of those who could have come in contact with confirmed cases,” said the minister.

The Health ministry chief said medical officers will be the ones to determine who remains in quarantine for another 14 days, and who is discharged.

“We apologise to the persons quarantined who will be affected by the extension. But, they should understand that we are doing this to secure the health of Kenyans,” said Kagwe.

“Please, understand that the whole concept of quarantining you is that you stay away and observe social distancing so that whatever status you have, remains yours and yours alone,” said the CS.

Kagwe further revealed that the quarantine costs will be footed by the suspected carriers, “though the Government will intervene in cases where those under forceful isolation are unable to raise accommodation fees”.

The CS, in his speech, also launched a passionate appeal to the youth to be at the forefront in observing precautionary measures, including not travelling to rural areas, so as to minimise chances of new transmissions.