Covid-19 Update from Kenya April 2020

by Francis Otieno

Kenya is a country in East Africa with a population of about 49.5 million, with 47 county
 governments [regional governments]. We had first experience of corona virus positive
 patient one month ago thereafter to date we have 186 confirmed positive patients on
 treatment, 6 deaths recorded so far the government projects increase to about 10
 thousands patients in a months time when the rapid testing is done.   Thousands  are in
 quarantine centers, Two are  in police cells a deputy governor and a Catholic priest the
 two refused to isolate themselves knowing very well that they were positive to COVID
 19 virus. so the authorities isolated them, treated them and arrested them immediately
 upon discharge. The government has converted some schools, hotels and government
 institutions into isolation centers. So far Kenya has closed her borders, and airspace save
 for cargo planes. We have also a national curfew from 7 pm to 5 am, all burials must be
 done in within 48 hours and only 15 immediate relatives are allowed to attend such
 burials, all market places are shut country wide bars closed learning institutions closed.
 So far 4 regional governments have been put on lockdown. These are the counties with
 the highest positive patients. The impact is so huge companies have closed, either
 sending workers on compulsory leave or laying off workers altogether.
 Due lack of income crime has gone up rent defaulters are high, we have some incidences
 where some landlords have removed roofs and doors of their houses in an attempt to evict
 tenants who can not afford to pay, public transport has tripled in terms of fare because
 buses are allowed to carry only half of their capacities , Majority of Kenyans now can't
 afford food and are facing starvation.

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