Put circumcision rites on hold, Kagwe advises communities
The Health Ministry will not condone circumcision ceremonies being conducted in some parts of the country saying they pose a risk to spread Corona, the Health Ministry has stated.
Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Dr Rashid Aman said the Ministry’s regulations and policies are clear on the need to avoid any gatherings or situations that will promote spread of the virus.
“The ministry’s regulations are very clear on avoiding gathering that will promote spread of the virus.
Anything that goes against that is flouting that regulation,” said Dr Aman, who spoke from Afya House during the daily update on the status of Coronavirus in the country.
He, however, said the Ministry will leave issues surrounding circumcision to relevant agencies to follow up to determine whether health procedures were flouted.
“Circumcision ceremonies are being conducted in different parts of the country, but clearly it is not something that the Ministry would condone or would want to ignore because the message we have been passing out measures put in place all intended to protect us from this virus,” said the CAS.
“Therefore any groups amongst us who in their desire want to fulfil what they want to do and flout the laws will be going against the good of the country and preservation of health.”
He made the remarks on a day that a new high was recorded, 544 more people having tested positive for the Coronavirus disease, out of 2,653 samples tested in the last 24 hours.
This raises the total case load of confirmed cases to 22,597. Out of the new cases, 499 were Kenyans and 45 were foreigners, with the youngest being an year old infant and the eldest was aged 84.
Aman, however, clarified all cases of foreigners reported are residents.
Highest number
Nairobi had the highest number of cases with 412, Kiambu followed with 27, Machakos and Kajiado had 17 cases each, Garissa had 16 and Uasin Gishu had 14.
Mombasa and Nakuru recorded 9 and 8 cases respectively, Nyeri and Narok had 5 cases each, Makueni had four, Laikipia had two while Murang’a, Kilifi, Busia, Embu, Bungoma, Kisii, Kwale and Meru had a case each.
He said 263 patients have recovered from Covid, 176 of who were from home-based care program while 87 were discharged from various hospitals bringing the total number of recoveries to 8,740.
However, 13 more patients succumbed to Covid rising the number of fatalities to 382.
The CAS reiterated that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) issued to all frontline workers have been subjected to various tests and standards.
“PPES to all front line workers who stand the risk have been subjected to various tests and standards.
The Government is providing PPEs that have met the standards set and have been tested by Kenya Bureau of Standards to ensure protection of people using them,” said Aman.
He, however, admitted to possibilities of having substandard PPEs in the market but said the Government is vigilant to ensure that product used meet regulatory requirements so that medical personnel are safe.
He also reiterated that Government has not stopped Tanzanians from coming into the country.
Aman said a lot of time has been spent in the spirit of East African Cooperation to work out a mechanism by which the flow of traffic can still happen across the borders.
