Alarm raised as Covid-19 infections rise by 604

CAS Dr Rashid Aman. [Standard]

Kenya has recorded 604 Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours raising the country's total caseload to 42,541.

The Ministry of Health said in a statement seen by Standard Digital that the new cases are from 5, 832 samples. This now pushes the country’s cumulative tests to 601, 623, increasing the number of cases from yesterday by 286.

In terms of gender, 400 are male and 204 are female while the youngest case is a five-month-old infant and the oldest is aged 94.

Of the new cases, 583 are Kenyans while 21 are foreigners.

On a positive note, 88 patients recovered with 56 released from home-based care programme while 32 were discharged from various hospitals bringing the total number of recoveries to 31,428.

On a sad note, 10 patients died from Covid-19 bringing Kenya’s fatalities to 797.

Today’s positive cases are the highest in almost two months with the last cases above the 500 mark being recorded on August 16.

Numbers have continued to take an upward trajectory ever since President Uhuru Kenyatta relaxed the restrictions that paved the way for reopening pubs and shortening the curfew hours.

The government has raised alarm over laxity among the people. Beside this is the increased political rallies and meeting pulling in crowds of people who are mostly not wearing masks or observing social distance.

The increased numbers also paint a grim picture three days after schools opened following a sharp dip in positive cases recorded.

Distribution

Nairobi leads with 125 cases, Nakuru 113, Mombasa 87, Busia 35, Uasin Gishu 33, Trans Nzoia 25, Kiambu 25, Kisii 24, Kisumu 24, Kajiado, 16, Nandi 13, Kakamega 12, Meru 11, Machakos 7, Siaya 7, Garissa 7, Muranga 5, West Pokot 5, Nyeri 5, Turkana 4, Laikipia 3, Wajir 3, Embu 2, Kirinyaga 2, Narok 2, Marsabit 2, Taita Taveta 2, Kitui 1, Nyamira, Tharaka Nithi, Kilifi and Nyandarua one case each.

In Nairobi, the 125 cases are from Westland 19, Dagoretti North 15, Lang’ata 14, Embakasi East 11, Makadara 8, Embakasi West 7, Embakasi South, Mathare and Roysambu 6 each, Dagoretti South, Kamkunji and Kasarani 5 cases each, Embakasi Central, Kibra and Ruaraka 4 cases each, Embakasi North and Starehe 3 cases each.