16 new deaths recorded as Kenyas COVID-19 caseload nears 32K mark

16 more patients succumbed to coronavirus as Kenya’s COVID-19 caseload rose to 31,763.

Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi said 322 more people had tested. positive and the death toll now stands at 532 with fatality rate at 1.6%.

“Nairobi and Mombasa continue to record the highest attack rates at 420.5 and 187 per 100,000 population respectively when compared to the national average of 66.1,” she said.

Dr. Mwangangi noted that most of the cases recorded so far are in the age group of 30-39 with males testing positive more than women.

According to her, the figures should be a wake up call to the youth that the disease is real and claiming lives.

From those who tested positive in the last 24 hours, the youngest is a 3-year-old baby while the oldest is 92 years.

“We are meeting with our modeling teams, to review our current situation. As of two weeks ago, the teams showed that the curve will continue to peak before slightly going down in December,” the Health CAS said.

She also stated that laboratory test rate currently stands at 8,329 samples per 1million people and out of the total confirmed cases, 2,074 (7percent) were symptomatic.

51percent were reported to have exhibited symptoms such as coughing while 37 percent had fever and 27 percent had difficulty breathing.

Asymptomatic cases were recorded at 29,367 which approximately 93 percent.

With regards to frontline workers, Dr. Mwangangi said 885 have tested positive: 16 succumbed to the disease in 43 counties.

She noted that 31 are currently in isolation centres and urged Nairobi doctors to end the strike and resume talks with government to resolve the ongoing stalemate.

“We have been having conversations with health unions and workers since last (Thursday) night. There are a few challenges, but we are working towards ensuring we get on amicable grounds. 65% of counties are COVID-19 ready,” she told journalists on Friday.