Kenya's Covid-19 cases rose to 8,250 on Tuesday, July 7, after 183 individuals tested positive in the preceding 24 hours.
In a press briefing at Afya House, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe stated that the 183 new cases were derived after testing 2,061 samples.
Out of the 183, 119 cases were male with 64 being female. The youngest was a 4-year-old infant, while the oldest was identified as a 79-year-old.
90 more patients were discharged, raising the total number of recoveries to 2,504.
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Unfortunately, 3 more patients succumbed to the disease bringing total fatalities from March 13, 2020, to 167
Nairobi led with 100 cases followed by Machakos 37, Kiambu 14, Mombasa 13, Kajiado 11, Nakuru 5 and Busia 3.
In Nairobi, Westlands led with 30 cases followed by Kibra 20, Dagoretti North 17, Lang'ata 8, Embakasi East, Embakasi South, Starehe and Makadara reported five cases each while Kamukunji, Roysambu, and Ruaraka recorded cases.
The CS urged Kenyans to observe the Covid-19 measures after learning from a friend in Mombasa that people were not maintaining social distance and noted that security personnel may be compelled to take action.
"If you can see a matatu is not maintaining social distance as directed by the Ministry of Health, you have a choice. You can choose not to enter the matatu.
"This is the time for that. The responsibility is so important for us to maintain," he noted while discouraging people from attending political rallies.
He further disclosed that President Uhuru Kenyatta set up a task force, which was inaugurated in December 2018 led by Frank Njenga to check on the status of mental health in the country.
Depression and anxiety are among the leading mental cases in Kenya followed by alcohol abuse which is more prevalent among the 18-24 age group. "Kenya's suicide deaths are ranked 29th worldwide according to the World Health Organisation," he added.
The task force recommended that mental illness should be declared a countrywide issue and establish a mental health commission.
"We open not because we have eradicated the disease. We are convinced that Kenyans are responsible enough to carry out economic activities while protecting their families," he added.
Njenga, while speaking at Afya house, confirmed that his task force was set to formally present its recommendation to the state after the briefing.
"The increasing cases of depression are causing suffering in homes. Many people are living with stigma. We need to put in place strategies to manage mental health to deal with the burden which is there," noted Njenga.
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