Be prepared for a lockdown as Coronavirus numbers in Kenya increases to 50 and will likely hit 10K cases by April 30th
Coronavirus numbers in Kenya is now 50, 48 of which are active cases. Before this, the number stood at 42 with 40 active cases – and that’s because one has recovered, and another one has died. The increase comes from 8 individuals who have tested positive, and all eight were under quarantine for having been in contact with the ones that had tested positive, making their cases exclusively that of local transmission. The question that someone may want to entertain is if those 8 cases are the only new local transmission in Kenya or there are many out in the wild transmitting the SARS-COVID-2 asymptotically.
The government is also asking the question. According to the Director of Public Health Dr Patrick Amoth, Kenya will likely record a total of 1,000 cases by the first week of April, witness the cases rise to 5,000 by mid-April and, potentially reach 10,000 cases by April 30. And that’s projection based on current testing regime.
As the cases of coronavirus numbers in Kenya continue to rise, Kenyans should start embracing themselves for tougher measures. On Friday last week the government implemented a night curfew that starts at 7 PM to 5 AM, a measure sold as that which can counter the spread of coronavirus, but basically was meant to prepare Kenyans for a lockdown. Once the cases reach 1000 which we will likely realise by end of this week, then the President will have no option but to announce a total lockdown of the country.
The lockdown that is likely going to be announced early second week of April will be for a 21 hour day period. Within that period, every household should have done some emergency shopping for those who can. The shopping list had be shared by Security Department on March 23rd and it is as follows:
ECONOMIC SHUTDOWN KEY HOUSEHOLD PREPARATION – KENYA 2020
1. Nutrition
Dry foods :
– rice
– spaghetti
– pasta
– flour
– maize mill
– beans
– green grams
– powder milk
– long life milk (Has 5 months expiry)
– breakfast cereals
– etc
Kitchen supplies:
– salt
– sugar
– bottled dry spices
– ketchup ( Has 12 months expiry)
– cooking oil
– Water – drinking & cooking
– Water guard
• For those with a kitchen garden space – seedlings for sukumawiki, spinach etc
*Avoid foods that need refrigeration*
2. Medication
– Paracetamol
– Anti-diarrhoea meds
– Inhalers
– Other meds – Gout, Bp, Diabetes etc
– Menstruation pain meds
– Functioning First aid kit
– etc
3. General sanitisation & personal hygiene
– Pads
– Vinegar
– Jik
– Methylated spirit
– Masks
– Gloves
– Soap
– Portable/pocket sanitisers
– Water – laundry & bathing
4. Communications
– WiFi prepayment
– Phones airtime
– Cable TV prepayment
5. Energy & Light
– Extra prepaid electricity units
– Extra gas
– Meko
– Jiko
– Charcoal
– Torches (chargeable elec & solar)
– Batteries
– Candles
– Matches/Lighters
– Generator
– Extra diesel for generator
– Cars at full tank
6. Finances
– Float in hard cash
– Float on Mpesa (most robust & available mMoney service) & EquiteL
– Float on both debit & credit cards
7. Evacuation Plans
– Different scenarios.
8. Others :
– Key emergency, hospitals & security contacts
– Books
– Board games
– Drinks
A general guide – customise to your specific needs