The Ministry of Health has identified four suburban estates in Nairobi that are likely to be potential coronavirus hotspots.
The areas — Westlands, Kileleshwa, Hurlingham and Lavington — are likely to witness an increase in the number of coronavirus infections because the virus is concentrated there, Health Chief Administrative Secretary Rashid Aman said.
The alert comes as the numbers of positive cases continues to rise. Friday, 117 new cases were recorded from 3,043 samples tested in the previous 24 hours, bringing the total caseload to 4,373.
Of the new cases, 83 were male and 54 female. Cumulatively, the country has tested 133,541 samples.
Dr Aman said residents, and especially young people, in the areas cited are flouting nearly all safety measures announced by the Ministry of Health to curb the spread of the disease.
“We have received information that young people are organising house parties in their various houses and the activities are conducted without adhering to the measures put in place by the ministry. We are going to take action should we get hold of them,” Dr Aman said.
He warned that if the activities continue, the country is likely to record more infections.
All estates in Nairobi have recorded cases, with some recording more than others.
“The suburb estates have one characteristic — recklessness and disobedience of the measures,” he said.
He urged neighbours of the people flouting the measures to report when they notice any noise and gatherings in their localities.
“When you keep quiet, you could be the next person to contract the virus from them. Treat anyone next to you as a suspected case and if they are flouting the measures, then you, too, are at risk.”
Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale have been classified as coronavirus danger zones, with the government banning movement in and out of the regions.
Releasing the latest data Friday, Dr Aman said the 117 new cases were reported in 11 counties. Nairobi had 51, Mombasa (22), Kajiado (18), Kiambu (six), Nakuru and Garissa (five each).
Machakos had three cases, Kericho, Busia and Uashi Gishu two cases each and Wajir one case.
In Nairobi, the cases are distributed in Kibra and Langata (eight each); Makadara and Dagoretti North (six each); Kamukunji and Embakasi East (four each); Embakasi North and South (three each); and Mathare, Ruaraka and Embakasi West recorded (two each).
Mombasa’s 22 cases were from Mvita (eight), Kisauni (five), Changamwe (four), Likoni (three), Jomvu and Nyali (one each).
Friday, 91 patients were discharged from various hospitals, bringing the total number of recoveries to 1,550.
