26 Reported Deaths as Positive Cases Drop

981 individuals have tested positive for Covid-19, out of a sample size of 7,529 tested in the last 24 hours with a positivity rate of 13 percent.

The total number of confirmed positive Covid-19 cases now stands at 148,128 while the cumulative tests conducted so far are 1,578,773.

Of the cases announced today, 961 are Kenyans while 20 are foreigners, while 563 are male and 418 are female. The youngest is a seven- days- old infant while the oldest is 97- years old.

A team of health officials conducting a burial of a Covid-19 victim in May 2020

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Regrettably, 26 deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours. Three occurred in the last 24 hours, 23 within the last one month. This pushes our cumulative fatalities to 2,420.

At the same time, 665 patients have recovered from the disease, 528 from the Home-Based and Isolation Care, while 137 are from various health facilities. 

The total number of recoveries now stands at 100,245.

Currently, a total of 1,623 patients are admitted to various health facilities countrywide, while 5,565 patients are on Home Based Isolation and Care.

269 patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 47 of whom are on ventilatory support and 172 on supplemental oxygen. 50 patients are on observation.

Another 283 patients are separately on supplementary oxygen with 257 of them in the general wards and 26 in the High Dependency Unit (HDU).

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe addresses the media outside Afya House in June 2020

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Meanwhile, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) through its president Nelson Havi wants government to lift the ban imposed on the importation, distribution and administration of Covid-19 vaccines by the private sector.

Havi wants the court to declare the government's decision unconstitutional and halt its implementation.

According to the Lawyer, the ban and cancellation of licenses issued to importers and distributors of the vaccine should not have been made at a time the government aims at vaccinating at least 30 percent of the country’s population by January next year.

In turn the High court has certified the ban on importation of Covid-19 vaccines by the private sector as an urgent case.

To expedite the hearing of the case, Justice Anthony Mrima, directed the LSK to issue the AG as well the concerned Cabinet Secretaries with the court papers within two days so that they respond to the claims levelled against government in the case.

The AG and the Cabinet secretaries are expected to file their responses within 10 days.

In addition, the judge also directed the parties to file their written arguments within seven days and fixed the hearing for May 5, 2021.

Elsewhere, Runyenjes Law Courts in Embu County has closed down for a week after eight staffers tested positive for Covid-19.

President Uhuru Kenyatta (Right) strolls at State House with Interior CS Fred Matiang'i during a past event.

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Also, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has announced the end date for the curfew issued in five Counties including Nairobi, Machakos, Nakuru, Kajiado and Kiambu.

In a revised gazette notice dated April 12, 2021, the CS indicated that the order would go on until May 29, 2021.

"This order shall apply during the hours of darkness between eight o’clock in the evening and four o’clock in the morning with effect from the 29th March, 2021 and shall remain in effect for a period of sixty days thereof," reads an excerpt of the statement.