Covid-19: 10 deaths, 318 cases recorded as State flags off breast cancer campaign

Health CAS Dr Rashid Aman. [Standard]

Kenya has recorded 318 Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours raising the country's total caseload to 41,937.

Speaking during the daily Covid-19 briefing, Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Rashid Aman said the new cases are from 2,592 samples which push the country’s cumulative tests to 595,791.

In terms of gender, 215 are male and 103 are female while the youngest case is a 3-month-old infant and the oldest is aged 90.

Of the new cases, 309 are Kenyans while nine are foreigners.

On a positive note, 243 patients recovered with 132 released from home-based care programme while 111 were discharged from various hospitals bringing the total number of recoveries to 31,340.

On a sad note, 10 patients died from Covid-19 bringing Kenya’s fatalities to 787.

Nairobi leads with 112 cases Uasin Gishu 30, Mombasa 29 Nakuru 25, Busia 24, Kisii 21 Kisumu 19, Kakamega 8, Moranga 8, Kilifi 6, Laikipia, Kiambu and Embu 5 cases each, Homabay 4, Trans Nzoia and Turkana 3 cases each Machakos, Isiolo and Kajiado 2 cases each Nyandarua, Garissa, Tharaka Nithi, Vihigia and Kirinyaga 1 case each.

Breast cancer campaign

Yesterday, the country recorded 11 deaths, 73 cases and used a sample size of 2,001. The new cases (318) represents an increase in infection rate given that sample size increased only by 591.

Meanwhile, Dr Aman made a passionate appeal to the healthcare workers to begin breast cancer screening as the country marks the breast cancer month.

He also called on the women to follow the breast cancer medical checkup routine religiously to avert the risk of late-stage detections.

“I would like to urge healthcare workers to resume screening activities while observing Covid-19 prevention measures. Likewise, I call upon our women to practice monthly breast examination and attend breast cancer screening at their nearest health facilities,” he said.

According to CAS Aman, Kenya is yet to make a breakthrough in managing breast cancer due to various reasons. Some of the factors the CAS said are complicating the fight against the disease include late detection and lack of treatment facilities.

“Breast cancer is associated with prognosis where screening and early detection programs exist and timely treatment services are provided. In Kenya however, uptake of breast cancer treatment remains low,” he said.

He said that Kenya reports 47,000 new cases and 37,000 deaths annually. 5,900 out the total cases originate from breast cancer. Despite the growing concern over breast cancer, the CAS said that only 25 per cent of women between ages 15 to 49 have had clinical breast examination. He added that only and 14  per cent have had clinical breast examination.

With cancer being the third-rated notorious killer in the country, the CAS revealed plans by the country to invest in molecular imaging and beefing up facilities at the hospitals to provide cheaper and efficient treatment.