Kenya’s Covid-19 daily infections cross 1000 mark

Health CAS Dr. Rashid Aman. [Standard]

Kenya has broken the 1000-mark ceiling after 1,068 people tested positive for Covid-19 over the past 24 hours. The figures raise the total caseload to 47,212.

In a statement sent to Standard Digital, the new cases come from 7,556 samples which shoot the country’s cumulative tests to 640,225.

666 of those infected in the past 24 hours are male while 402 are female while the youngest case is a six-month-old infant and the oldest is aged 96.

Of the new cases, 1,044 are Kenyans while 24 are foreigners.

Sadly, 12 patients died from Covid-19 bringing Kenya’s fatalities to 870.

On a positive note, 290 patients recovered with 235 released from home-based care programme while 55 were discharged from various hospitals bringing the total number of recoveries to 33,050.

A total of 1,121 patients are admitted in various health facilities while 3,112 are on Home-based isolation and care. For those in hospitals, 27 are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 45 on supplementary oxygen and 27 on ventilatory support.

The results have shot up after Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) ordered for mass testing in the county over the weekend, to weed out hidden cases.

According to the data from the NMS, released earlier this week, 2,146 people were tested on Saturday while an additional 1,947 were tested on Sunday.

NMS Health Director Josephine Kibaru-Mbae said the mass testing which was rolled out in 17 sub-counties was to reveal how the virus has spread in the county.

“The results will help us to track the state of the pandemic and the information will guide decision-making. A higher positivity rate suggests higher community transmission. It will show that there are likely more people with coronavirus in the community who haven’t been tested,” she said.

Distribution

Out of the 47 counties, 37 have registered at least one case with Nairobi and Nakuru leading with more than 100 new cases.

Nairobi has recorded 305 cases, Nakuru 137, Mobasa 74, Kisumu 60, Kericho 38, Nandi 48, Uasin Gishu 48, Kakamega 47, Kilifi 34, Kisii 28, Laikipia 26, Turkana 22, Meru 20, Kajiado 18, Kiambu 18, Garissa 15, Busia 14, Machakos 14, West Pokot 12, Murang’a 9, Migori 9, Bomet 6, Isiolo 6, Nyamira 6, Siaya 5, Narok 4, Nyeri 4, Wahir 4, Bungoma 3, Trans Nzoia 3, Kirinyaga 3, Baringo 3, Elegeyo Marakwet, Lamu, Nyandarua, Taita Taveta and Embu 1 case each.