On Thursday, May 21, Kenya's confirmed Covid-19 cases rose to 1,109 after 80 more individuals tested positive for the virus in the preceding 24 hours.
Speaking at Afya House during the daily Covid-19 briefing, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe stated that 3,102 samples had been tested, bringing the total number of samples tested since the outbreak in Kenya to 52,507.
“This demonstrates that the larger the sample, the more positive the cases are,” Kagwe announced.
Kagwe announced that nine individuals had been discharged bringing the number of those who had recovered to 375 while the number of those who had succumbed to the disease still stood at 50.
Nairobi was still leading in the number of recorded cases with 41 cases in the past 24 hours. Mombasa followed with 20 cases and Siaya with 7 cases.
The CS lamented that the seven cases in Siaya could be traced to mourners who travelled from Kibera.
Other Counties that recorded cases included; Kwale (6), Garissa (3) Kajiado (2) and Taita Taveta (1).
“Someone signed the document that allowed this mourner to travel. It was inspected by police all the way from Kibera to Siaya,” Kagwe complained.
Of the 80 individuals, three were Somali nationals while 77 were Kenyans.
Kagwe warned expectant and nursing mothers after he announced that the youngest Covid-19 patient was a six-month-old baby.
"This war cannot be won by the government alone but by all individuals following rules,” Kagwe stated.
Projection of cases to rise in September-August
The Ministry of Health projected the country would hit its Covid-19 peak in August or September where a daily report of at least 200 positive cases will be reported.
"We project now, our peak will be around August-September in which case, we will be reporting about 200 plus cases per day, that is if we continue with the measures and interventions that we have put in place today," the DG stated.
"Remember, modelling keeps on changing based on variables that you input and our wish is to continue with the measures that we have put in place which has made it possible to have a smoother curve, therefore, our health system has not been overrun," he added.
Cholera cases rise
During the briefing, the Health CS also indicated that 13 Kenyans had died from cholera.12 of those reported were from Marsabit while one was from Turkana.
"70% of the deaths are of children aged 10 years and below," Kagwe stated.
The possible reopening of churches
The CS stated that he, Interior CS Fred Matiang'i and that of Education George Magoha had met with religious leaders in the morning.
He stated that the government was determined to work closely with faith-based organisations, especially our religious leaders.
"Government will do everything possible to facilitate our religious leaders when they are either recording services or they are moving around to counsel small groups and pray with small groups of people as they observe social distance.
"This is one of our very critical actors and stakeholder in the management of the Covid-19 challenges that we face in the country," Kagwe stated.
