NAIROBI, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's ministry of health on Monday confirmed 25 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections to 490.
Mercy Mwangangi, chief administrative secretary, said that all the cases were detected from the 1,012 samples were tested in the past 24 hours, noting that 13 are male and 12 female patients, aging from six months to 60 years old.
Mwangangi said out of these cases, 15 are from Nairobi and 10 cases are from Mombasa, adding that all the 25 cases are Kenyans with no history of travel.
"Since we embarked on targeted testing in certain regions, we have witnessed gradual increase in the turnout. Our teams are continuing with the exercise in areas we have identified as hotspots, such as Kawangware, Eastleigh and Mvita in Mombasa County," she told journalists during the ministry's daily briefing on COVID-19.
Mwangangi noted that an additional six patients were discharged from hospital after undergoing treatment, bringing the total of recoveries to 173.
She urged Kenyans to wear masks, adding that masks act as a protective barrier to the virus, thereby reducing the possibility of infection.
Mwangangi observed that the current trend shows that the virus is now fully within communities, and the rate of infection is not going down.
"I am therefore urging Kenyans in these areas to willingly come forward and be tested. Testing is the most effective strategy of breaking the chain of transmission," said Mwangangi. Enditem
