Covid-19: 16 dead as cases rise by 497

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe.

Kenya has recorded 497 new Covid-19 infections and 16 additional deaths in the past 24 hours raising the country's total caseload to 46,144.

The coronavirus death toll now stands at 858.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Health Ministry announced that the new cases are from a sample size of 4,888. This pushes the country’s cumulative tests to 632,669.

From the cases, 471 are Kenyans and 26 are foreigners and 295 are males and 202 females. The youngest is a one-year- old infant while the oldest is 88.

On a positive note, 238 patients recovered with 170 on the home-based care programme while 68 were discharged from various hospitals bringing the total number of recoveries to 32,760.

As per county distribution, Nairobi is leading with 227 cases, followed by Machakos and Mombasa with 64 and 51 cases respectively.

Other counties recorded; Uasin Gishu 37, Laikipia 28, Busia 19, Kajiado 11, Embu 10, Nakuru 9, Wajir 7, Kiambu 6, Kilifi 6, Kisumu 4, Nyeri 4, Makueni 3, Elgeyo Marakwet 2, Meru 2, Kisii 2, Turkana 2, Narok 1, Homabay 1 and Kakamega 1.

In terms of Sub County Distribution; In Nairobi; the 227 cases are from Lang'ata (32), Westlands (26), Embakasi West (20), Makadara (19), Embakasi East (17), Kasarani (16), Embakasi North (15), Kibra (12), Dagoretti North (11), Dagoretti South and Starehe (10) cases each, Embakasi South (9), Mathare and Roysambu (8) cases each, Kamukunji and Ruaraka (6) cases each, Embakasi Central (2).

The Mutahi Kagwe-led team also revealed that there are 27 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 27 on ventilatory support and 41 on supplementary oxygen.

“A total of 1,189 are currently admitted in various health facilities and 2,661 are on Home Based Isolation and Care,” he said.