Kenya has recorded 183 more Covid-19 positive cases in the last 24 hours as the country's total caseload rises to 36,576.
During the daily Covid-19 briefing at Afya House on Thursday, September 17, Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi announced that 4,188 samples had been tested over the period.
Of the positive cases, all are Kenyans except 14 who are foreigners.
131 are male and 52 are female while the youngest case is 7-month-old and the oldest is aged 80.
In terms of county distribution, Nairobi reported 54 cases, Kisumu 26, Mombasa 20, Trans Nzoia 16, Kericho 11, Nakuru 10, Kisii 7, Machakos 6, Meru 5, Turkana 5, Lamu 3, Nyeri 3, Siaya 3 and Kiambu 3.
Kajiado, Busia, Kilifi, Homa Bay and Samburu had two cases each while Kakamega and Embu counties recorded one case each.
At the same time, 82 patients were discharged, 33 from the home-based care program and 49 from hospitals across the country bringing total recoveries to 23,611.
Regrettably, 5 patients succumbed to the disease bringing the total number of deaths to 642.
CAS Mwangangi further noted that since the beginning of the pandemic, 945 healthcare workers had been infected with the virus with 16 reported to have succumbed. A moment of silence was observed in their honour.
"With regards to the policy framework for patient safety, the Ministry has put in place a comprehensive, safe and quality policy framework," she assured noting that handwashing, face masking and social distancing were very crucial in preventing the spread of the virus.
The health officials also addressed the operation of hospitals in counties stating that the governors had promised to ensure that essential services remain unaffected.
The Council of Governors chairman Wycliffe Oparanya had on September 16, stated that most counties were facing a shutdown due to lack of funds
"County health facilities will not permit any new inpatient admissions, they will only provide minimal outpatient services," he stated.
