NAIROBI — Kenya has confirmed 16 new coronavirus cases, bringing the country’s total tally to 262.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced the new cases on Saturday afternoon. noting that all were Kenyan nationals.
Mr. Kagwe is said to have announced the numbers during a zoom meeting with Senate Ad-Hoc Committee chaired by Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja.
The number of those who have died from the coronavirus in the country stands at 112, after one more person died today,” Kagwe added.
He urged Kenyans to avoid the use of cash and resort to mobile money options for their day-to-day transactions.
“I am asking you to take all measures to avoid exchanging notes & coins. Physical money presents surfaces that can easily be contaminated with the virus,” he said.
Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday announced more economic measures to cushion the citizens from the effects of coronavirus.
Three weeks after announcing a massive tax relief for workers, Mr Kenyatta on Thursday, April 16, directed that nurses, doctors and other health workers at the heart of fighting coronavirus be given a special welfare package.
“Recognising the critical importance of health, mental and emotional needs of our frontline medical doctors, nurses and other medical professionals, I am today directing the Ministry of Public Service and the Ministry of Health to develop a welfare package to cushion these frontline officers, especially during this challenging time,” he said.
”This should include actions by medical insurance companies to cover the health requirements of our hospital staff especially those dealing with the pandemic,” he added.
The Kenyan leader also announced that disadvantaged people will receive a weekly cash stipend. The programme will begin with Nairobi.