Kenya records 501 new COVID-19 cases, 34 deaths; positivity rate at 7.3pc

The Ministry of Health has announced 501 new COVID-19 infections, from a sample size of 6,879 tested in the last one day. 

According to a press statement on Thursday, the new infections, with a positivity rate of 7.3 percent, push the tally of confirmed positive cases to 242,284. 

So far, Kenya has conducted 2,436,216 tests. 

“From the cases 487 are Kenyans while 14 are foreigners. 282 females while 219 are males.,” The Health Ministry said on Thursday “The youngest is a two-month-old infant while the oldest is 102 years,” 

Nairobi reported the most new infections with 137 followed by Uasin Gishu with 55, Nakuru with 38 and Kiambu with 26. 

In the rest of the country, the new infections are distributed as follows: Murang’a 25, Kitui 24, Kajiado 18, Marsabit 15, Baringo 12, Garissa 12, Nyamira 12, Machakos 12, Kericho 11, Isiolo 11, Trans Nzoia 9, Laikipia 9, Vihiga 8, Homa Bay 6, Kakamega 6, Kwale 6, Narok 6, Meru 5, Tana River 5, Tharaka Nithi 4, Nyandarua 3, Nyeri 3, Mombasa 3, Elgeyo Marakwet 3, Kilifi 2, Kisii 2, Kisumu 2, Lamu 2, Embu 2, West Pokot 2, Nandi 2, Bomet 2 and Busia 1.  

Currently, 1,752 patients are admitted to various health facilities across the country, while 4,864 are under the Home-Based Isolation and Care program. 

There are 163 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), with 117 on ventilatory support and 40 on supplemental oxygen. 

Six patients are being monitored.

Another 671 patients require supplemental oxygen, 617 of whom are in general wards and 54 in High Dependency Units (HDU).

Meanwhile, 312 patients have recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours; 190 from various health facilities across the country and 122 from the Home Based Isolation and Care program. 

The total number of recoveries is now 230,407. 

At the same time, Kenya’s death toll from the disease has hit 4,864 following a report of 34 new deaths. 

“All of them are late deaths reported after conducting facility record audits in  the months of July, August and September 2021,” the Ministry of Health said. 

Vaccination 

A total of 2,980,929 vaccines had been administered across the country as of September 8; 2,160,564 were the first doses while 820,365 were the second doses. 

The proportion of adults who are fully vaccinated is now at 3.0 percent. 

“The uptake of the second dose by Priority Groups is as follows: Others 247,438, Aged 58 years and above 243,231, Health Workers 135,899, Teachers 124,575 while Security Officers are at 69,222,” the Ministry added.