COVID-19: Kenyas positivity rate at 6.8% after 148 people test positive, 21 dead

Kenya has recorded 148 new COVID-19 cases from a sample size of 2,163 tested in the last 24 hours, this marking a positivity rate of 6.8%.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Ministry of Health said the total confirmed cases now at 172,639 with cumulative tests conducted so far being 1,836,410.

The 148 cases are distributed across the country as follows: Nairobi 48, Homa Bay 46, Mombasa 8, Uasin Gishu 7, Machakos 6, Kisumu 5, Nakuru 4, Kiambu 4, Kilifi 3, Kajiado 2, Marsabit 2, Nandi 2, Tharaka Nithi 2, Narok, Trans Nzoia, Kisii, Laikipia, Turkana, Baringo, Bomet, Busia and Embu 1 cases each.

The Ministry further announced that 21 people have been reported to succumb to the disease, all of them being late deaths reported after conducting Facility Record Audits on diverse dates in the month of April and May. This now pushes the cumulative fatalities to 3,308.

Meanwhile, 631 patients have recovered from the disease, 496 from the Home Based and Isolation Care program while 135 are from various health facilities countrywide.

“Total recoveries now stand at 118,226 of whom 85,892 are from Home Based Care and Isolation program, while 32,334 are from various health facilities,” said MoH.

According to the Ministry, 1,147 patients are currently admitted in various health facilities countrywide, while 4,802 patients are under Home Based Isolation and Care program.

Some 102 patients are reported to be in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 26 of whom are on ventilatory support and 60 on supplemental oxygen. 16 patients are under observation.

“Another 95 patients are separately on supplemental oxygen with 88 of them in general wards and 7 in High Dependency Units (HDU),” added the Ministry.

On the ongoing vaccination exercise, a total of 975,835 persons have so far been vaccinated against the COVID-19 disease countrywide.

As of Monday, a total of 13,194 have been vaccinated their second dose.

“Of these 6,337 are Health Workers, Others 2,575, aged S8 years and above 2,411, Teachers 1,161 while Security Officers 714,” said the Ministry.