The World Health Organization (WHO) says Kenya has witnessed what it calls a dramatic rise in new coronavirus (Covid-19) infections over the last month.

The East African country has seen a recent resurgence of new virus cases following an easing of restrictions that lasted months. The Kenyan government allowed schools to reopen partially, eased a nighttime curfew and also lifted lockdowns that had been imposed on high-risk regions including the capital, Nairobi.

The WHO says the country reported 4,594 new cases in the past week – up 51% on the previous week.

In the same period, Kenya registered the third-highest virus deaths in Africa. Its 71 deaths are only eclipsed by Ethiopia (73) and South Africa (536).

“It is just shy of its previous peak at the end of July when there were 4,700 new cases – although deaths have increased at a much lower rate (9%),” the WHO says.

Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe warned recently that the country could be headed for a second surge.

The data shows that the proportion of people testing positive has started rising – up from below 5% in mid-September to more than 10% over the past week – and this does not appear to be down to any changes in testing strategy.

The rise does follow the easing of restrictions, among them the reopening of bars, the removal of a ban on sale of alcohol in restaurants and eateries and a reduction in overnight curfew hours at the end of September.

Also, teaching in some school classes resumed in mid–October.

Over the past week, Kenya recorded the second-highest number of new cases in the WHO Africa region excluding Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Djibouti, Sudan and Somalia.

Nigeria’s coronavirus (COVID-19) related deaths on Wednesday hit 1,135 after the West African country’s health agency announced three new fatalities.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) also confirmed 113 new cases of the dreaded virus in 11 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The NCDC made this known via its verified wedsite on Tuesday.

The public health agency said that the new infections bring the nation’s total number of infections to 62,224.

The data released by the agency shows that 345 new patients were successfully treated and discharged across the country.

The NCDC said that Lagos state accounts for the highest number of infections with 51 cases while 15 new cases were found in FTC, 11 cases in Plateau, eight cases each in Kaduna, Oyo and Rivers and four cases in Ogun.

Edo, Imo and Kwara reported two cases each as Delta and Kano also confirmed one case each.

According to the data, the country has tested 614,480 persons since the first confirmed case relating to the COVID-19 pandemic was announced on Feb. 27, 2020.

The NCDC said that as of Oct. 27, some 113 new confirmed cases and three deaths were recorded in the country.

“Till date, 62,224 cases have been confirmed, 57,916 cases have been discharged and 1,135 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory,” it said.

It noted that a multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, continues to coordinate the national response activities in the country.

Meanwhile, the NCDC said that there was a currently circulating myth suggesting that masks do not work to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

It stated that masks were recommended as a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling through air and onto other people when the person wearing the mask coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises the voice.

“This is called source control. That is, “my mask protects you”. COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact with one another within about two meters.

“So, the use of masks is particularly important in settings where people are close to each other or where social distancing is difficult to maintain,” it explained.

It stated that the agency had continued to work round the clock on COVID-19 response in the country.

“Please take responsibility so we can control this outbreak in our country,” it advised.

Nigeria on Monday recorded 119 new cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of infections in Nigeria to 62,111.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control made this known via its website on Monday.

The centre also recorded two COVID-19-related deaths in the last 24 hours.

The NCDC stated that Lagos reported the highest number of infections with 77 while the FCT reported 26 cases.

Others Plateau-nine; Edo-four; Oyo-two and Nasarawa-one.

The NCDC said 57,571 people have been discharged while Nigeria recorded a total of 1,132 deaths in 36 states and the FCT.

It added that so far, 612,154 people have been tested since the first confirmed case relating to the COVID-19 pandemic was announced on Feb. 27.
The agency advised Nigerians to maintain physical distance and wear masks to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread.

“Help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in your community. It is very important to wash your hand frequently with soap under running water.

The body advised everyone to #TakeResponsibility by ensuring hygienic practices to keep ourselves and loved ones safe and healthy.