Kenya's Daily Covid-19 Cases Spike to 616

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe addressing the Nation about Corona Virus outside Afya House on March 17, 2020.
Health CS Mutahi Kagwe addressing the Nation about Corona Virus outside Afya House on March 17, 2020.
Simon Kiragu
Kenyans.co.ke

Kenya has recorded 616 more Covid-19 positive cases in the last 24 hours bringing the total number of cases to 44,196.

In a statement sent to newsrooms on Saturday, October 17, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe stated that 5,512 samples had been tested over the period bring the total number of samples tested so far to 617,064.

From the cases, 594 are Kenyans and 22 are foreigners while 391 are male and 225 female.

A medical practitioner dressed in protective gear at Coronavirus isolation and treatment facility in Mbagathi District Hospital on Friday, March 6, 2020.
A medical practitioner dressed in protective gear at the Coronavirus isolation and treatment facility in Mbagathi District Hospital on Friday, March 6, 2020.
Simon Kiragu
Kenyans.co.ke

The youngest is an 8-month old infant while the oldest is 86 years. 

The distribution of the cases by Counties is as follows; Nairobi 121, Nakuru 110, Uasin Gishu 74, Mombasa 55, Kakamega 32, Kericho 29, Kisumu 26, Bungoma 21, Garissa 20, Turkana 16, Kiambu 13, Homa Bay 10, Kajiado 10, Kisii 10, Laikipia 9, Busia 8, Isiolo 6, West Pokot 6, Murang’a 6.

Others are; Bomet 5, Meru 4, Narok 4, Embu 3, Baringo 3, Nyeri 2, Kwale 2, Machakos 2,  Makueni 2, Siaya 2, Elgeyo Marakwet 1, Wajir 1, Nandi 1, Kirinyaga 1, and Trans Nzoia 1.

In Nairobi, the 121 cases are from; Lang'ata 24, Kasarani 11, Roysambu 10, Dagoretti North, Embakasi East and Kibra 9 cases each, Dagoretti South and Westlands 7 cases each, Makadara 6, Embakasi South and Starehe 5, Kamukunji and Ruaraka 4 cases each, Embakasi Central, Embakasi North and Mathare 3 cases each and Embakasi West 2 cases.

104 patients recovered in the last 24 hours, 83 from the Home-Based Care Program, while 21 have been discharged from various hospitals.

The total number of recoveries now stands at 31,752.

Unfortunately, 12 individuals have succumbed to the disease, bringing the number of fatalities so far to 825.

In the last week, there has been a spike in the number of reported Covid-19 cases. Acting Director-General of Health Patrick Amoth, however, indicated that the rise could not be equated to a second wave since the first phase of the virus has not been eliminated.

“Returning to stricter restrictions is definitely an option as was stated by President Kenyatta. The Ministry of Health has a duty to ensure that we are a healthy nation. Should we witness a surge, then that will be our final option for the good of the country,” Amoth stated in a question and answer session on Twitter.

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe is said to be considering introducing new measures to mitigate the increase in Covid-19 Cases.

Sources close to CS Kagwe revealed that he has called for an urgent meeting of the National Emergency Response Committee to be held on Sunday, October 18 to brainstorm on how to curb the rising number of cases.

Dr Patrick Amoth speaking at the Ministry of Health headquarters
Ministry of Health Director-General Dr Patrick Amoth speaking at the Ministry of Health headquarters on June 4, 2020.
Photo: Ministry of Health
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