Kenya Records Highest Ever Daily Covid-19 Cases

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Addressing the media at a press briefing, May 2020.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Addressing the media at a press briefing, May 2020.
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The Ministry of Health has announced that 1,068 people tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 24 hours from a sample size of 7,556, a 14 % positivity rate.

According to a statement sent by Health CS Mutahi Kagwe, the total count now stands at 47,212. 

From the cases, 1,044 are Kenyans and 24 are foreigners. 

Hospital beds at a Coronavirus isolation and treatment facility in Mbagathi District Hospital on Friday, March 6, 2020.
Hospital beds at a Coronavirus isolation and treatment facility in Mbagathi District Hospital on Friday, March 6, 2020.
Simon Kiragu
KENYANS.CO.KE

Unfortunately, 12 patients have succumbed to the disease bringing the fatality to 870. 

Kenya recorded 290 recoveries, 235 being from the home-base care program while 55 were from various hospitals. 

Currently, there are 27 patients in the ICU while 45 are on supplementary oxygen, 27 on ventilatory support while 12 are in the high dependency unit. 

A total of 1,121 patients are admitted to various hospitals while 3,112 are in home-based isolation and care. 

Of the new cases, 666 are males while 402 are females. 

The youngest is a 6-month-old baby while the oldest is 96 years. 

Distribution of cases by counties

Nairobi leads with 305 cases, Nakuru 137, Mombasa 74, Kisumu 60, Kericho 58, Nandi 48, Uasin Gishu 48, Kakamega 47, Kilifi 34, Kisii 28, Laikipia 26, Turkana 22, Meru 20, Kajiado 18, Kiambu 18, Garissa 15, Busia 14, Machakos 14, West Pokot 12, Murang'a 9, Migori 9, Bomet 6, Isiolo 6, Nyamira 6, Siaya 5, Narok 4, Nyeri 4, Wajir 4, Bungoma 3, Trans Nzoia 3, Kirinyaga 3, Baringo 3, Elegeyo Marakwet 1, Lamu 1, Nyandarua 1, Taita Taveta 1 and Embu 1. 

Distribution in Nairobi

In Nairobi, the 305 cases are from Lang'ata 34, Westlands 31, Dagoretti North 30, Kasarani and Madaraka 25 each, Embakasi East and Embakasi South 19 each, Kibra 18, Dagoretti South and Embakasi West 14 each, Kamukunji, Ruaraka and Starehe 12 each, Mathare and Roysambu 11 each, Embakasi North 10 and Embakasi Central 8. 

The rise in the daily number of cases has fuelled speculations about a potential lockdown, with the country's positivity rate being well above the recommended value which is below 10%. 

There are also concerns over the reopening of learning institutions amid the rising cases

Nandi County Health Executive Ruth Koech confirmed a case at Kabote SDA Secondary school in Nandi Hills.In a separate incident, A form four student at St Peter's Boys in Kakamega county was admitted to an isolation centre in Mumias after he tested positive for the virus.

Medics conducting random screening for Covid-19 symptoms at National Archives, Nairobi on Saturday, March 21, 2020
Medics conducting random screening for Covid-19 symptoms at National Archives, Nairobi on Saturday, March 21, 2020
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