Roundup: Kenya ramps up measures to tame COVID-19 second wave

NAIROBI, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta announced new measures on Wednesday in the face of a dramatic surge in COVID-19 cases in the country.

Kenyatta in a televised address to the nation said the new COVID-19 containment measures include a 60 days ban on political gatherings, extension of curfew hours and greater uptake of remote learning and work.

"Anyone wishing to hold such meetings should do so in town halls and must observe all COVID-19 protocols, including limiting the attendees to one-third seating capacity of the hall," Kenyatta said.

He was speaking in Nairobi after chairing an emergency response committee meeting attended by senior officials from the national and county governments to discuss the rising COVID-19 caseload and fatalities that escalated in October when some containment measures were relaxed.

"We will double enforcement of the new guidelines to curb the spread of coronavirus but greater civic responsibility among leaders and citizens is key to realize success," he added.

According to Kenyatta, the flouting of rules meant to curb the spread of coronavirus had contributed to an unprecedented spike in positive cases and fatalities.

"The month of October has been recorded as the most tragic in our fight against COVID-19. We are staring at a new wave as the positivity rate rises to an average of 16 percent up from 4 percent in September," said Kenyatta.

He said that state officers will be required to discharge their duties through virtual means while elderly public officers with compromised immunity were supposed to work remotely in order to limit spread of the virus.

Kenyatta said basic learning institutions will resume in-person lessons in January 2021, adding that finalists who are already in school will continue with their studies under heightened public health safety measures.

He said that the 60 days ban on all political gatherings would be enforced with immediate effect while the nationwide night curfew, that is expected to last until Jan.3 next year would begin from 10.00 p.m. to 4.00 a.m. local time but bars will close by 9.00 p.m.

Kenyatta said that entertainment spots, eateries and houses of worship were required to comply with COVID-19 containment guidelines from the ministry of health.

He said the move to review COVID-19 restriction measures was taken due to increased virus infections and deaths which had gone up since August when some of the tough restrictions were lifted.

Kenyatta said special squads have been formed to enforce the COVID-19 pandemic rules in the country. They will include officials from national police and county inspectorates who will ensure the rules are adhered to.

He said there will be no services to those without masks in public places and warned that the government will impose lockdowns and movement restrictions where cases are detected.

Meanwhile, Kenya recorded 1,494 new COVID-19 cases, the highest ever, on Wednesday from 8,839 sample size, bringing the cumulative number of positive cases in the country to 58,587.

The trend of men constituting the highest number continued with 870 of the cases being male while 624 were female with 8,839 tests having been conducted.

The ministry of health said 12 fatalities were also recorded bringing the cumulative number of deaths resulting from the pandemic to 1,051.

Currently, there are 1,313 patients admitted in various health facilities across the country while 5,005 are on home-based isolation and care, the ministry of health said.

Some 57 patients are in the Intensive Care Unit, 25 of whom are on ventilator support and 27 on supplemental oxygen.

According to the ministry, a further 95 patients are separately on supplementary oxygen of whom 77 are in the general wards while 18 are in the High Dependency Unit.