COVID-19 cases in Kenya rise to 2,474 after 134 more patients test positive

Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Dr. Mercy Mwangangi on Friday announced that COVID-19 infections in the country had risen to 2,474 after 134 more patients tested positive for the disease from 3,177 samples tested within the last 24 hours.

Dr. Mwangangi, speaking during the daily coronavirus briefings at Afya House in Nairobi, said the new cases are composed of 131 Kenyans and 3 foreign nationals.

The CAS announced that the patients, aged between 6-70 years, consist of 98 males and 36 females.

The cases are distributed between various counties including: Mombasa (67), Nairobi (31), Busia (15), Machakos (5), Taita Taveta (4), Kilifi (2), Nakuru (2), Garissa (1), Murang’a (1), Kisumu (1), Uasin Gishu (1) and Kajiado (1).

The 67 cases in Mombasa are from various sub-counties as: Kisauni (25), Jomvu (12), Changamwe (10), Mvita (10) and Likoni (1).

In Nairobi, the 31 cases are from Kibra (19), Westlands (7), Makadara (3), Lang’ata (2), Embakasi East (2), Ruaraka (1), Kasarani (1), Embakasi South (1).

Dr. Mwangangi also revealed that 51 more patients were discharged in the last 24 hours, hence taking the total number of recoveries to 643.

One patient however succumbed to the coronavirus, taking the tally of deaths to 79.

“As we soldier on, we are confident that the outbreak will eventually recede and the enemy defeated. We do not know when, but we can hasten it by adopting modes of behavior that limits movement of the virus and eliminates surfaces that can promote infection,” she said.

“I want to reiterate the importance of County’s level of preparedness as a key factor in the fight against the pandemic. We are witnessing community spread and county facilities are where those infected are to be managed.”

The CAS further added: “I therefore want to appeal to the Counties to move with speed and utilize the Ksh.5 billion that has already been disbursed to them, to upgrade their health facilities in readiness to manage COVID-19 cases.”