Vegetable and fruit vendors will be tested for Covid-19 as the Health ministry strives to arrest spiralling infections, which crossed the 1,000-mark Wednesday.

Kenya recorded the highest daily rise in new infections since March 13, with 66 cases.

In Nairobi, Kibra had the biggest spike with 15 infections, followed by Langata (three), Starehe and Dagoretti (two each), while Westlands, Eastleigh, Dandora and Mathare recorded a case each.

“With the increase in the number of infections, we have been able to keep our fatality rate at 5.6 per cent against the global average, which stands at 6.6 per cent,” Mr Kagwe said, adding that eight patients had left hospital, bringing the total recoveries to 366, while deaths continue to stagnate at 50.

Mr Kagwe said the laboratories have modern equipment that can diagnose most pathogens that cause non-communicable diseases, including Covid-19 and Ebola, and have the capacity to test 2,000 people per day.