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Health Chief Administrative Secretary Rashid Aman gives a Covid-19 update at Afya House yesterday. He also received a donation of five ventilator units worth Sh15 million on behalf of the ministry from the Chinese government. [Nicholas Nthenge, Standard]
The Ministry of Health has attributed a spike in Covid-19 cases to reckless and ignorant behaviour among Kenyans.
The ministry attributes this development to Kenyans' carefree attitude after President Uhuru Kenyatta eased restrictions that were meant to avert spread of the virus.
Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Rashid Aman said there has been a spike in the cases, an issue that might result in a second wave.
Data by the ministry states that out of the 38,784 confirmed cases, at least 98 per cent were local transmissions.
Aman raised the concern during Covid-19 media briefing at Afya House yesterday.
He said a majority of Kenyans were not observing the set measures, especially washing of hands with soap and water, keeping social distance and attending social gatherings.
“If we continue with such behaviours, we might see a second wave of the virus. This might lead to more stringent restrictions,” warned Aman.
He appealed to Kenyans to adhere to protocols put in place, take personal responsibility and observe hygiene.
Yesterday, out of 595 samples tested, there were at least 22 confirmed positive cases, bringing to 39,449 the number of confirmed positive cases in the country.
Nairobi was leading with 18 cases followed by Meru (2), while Nakuru and Kiambu recorded one case each.
At least four people died of the virus, bringing the total number of deaths to 735 since the pandemic was reported in the country in March.
Also 1,029 healthcare workers have been confirmed Covid-19 positive.
According to documentation by the ministry, Nairobi is leading with 20,971 cases followed by Mombasa at 2,969, Kiambu with 2,776 and Kajiado with 1,981. Machakos has 1,340 while Nakuru has 1,259.
Busia, Kisumu, Uasin Gishu and Migori counties have 1,246, 630, 628 and 463, respectively.
Counties that have recorded low cases include Elgeyo Marakwet (12), West Pokot (21), Marsabit (24), Tana River (25), Mandera (29) and Naymira (30).
Others are Vihiga (38), Wajir (41), Baringo (44) and Tharaka Nithi with 55.
Aman added that Nairobi and Mombasa counties continued to record highest attack rates at 476.9 and 245.7 respectively per 100,000 population compared to the national average of 82.9.
Out of 4,700 samples taken on October 1, Nairobi recorded 58 cases followed by Mombasa with 22, Kisumu with 20 while Nakuru recorded 13.
On October 2, Nakuru recorded the highest number of cases at 75 followed by Nairobi with 36, Mombasa with 15 and Trans Nzoia with 13.
Records indicate that the cases further shot up on October 3, with Nairobi taking a lead with 128 followed by Kisumu with 37, Mombasa 13, 44 in Nakuru and 30 in Trans Nzoia.
Aman said though the disease was yet to be contained, studies were being undertaken by scientists at national and global level to not only come up with a vaccine, but also to help understand the disease pattern.
“Experts from the Ministry of Health as well as our modeling teams are studying the behaviour patterns of how the virus is moving. We shall make the findings public once they are done,” he said.
Further, he asked counties to clear bills with Kenya Medical Supplies Agency to guarantee smooth supply of medicines and medical equipment.
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