As Covid-19 cases continue to escalate in the country and the positivity rate alarming, the Ministry of Health yesterday announced that it has so far successfully vaccinated a total of 40, 359 frontline workers within the country. These are inclusive of health workers, soldiers, teachers and other staff working in institutions of learning, officers in uniforms and those working in ports of entry. This is a milestone by the Ministry towards its effort to fight the pandemic.
The country received 1.12 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines from India out of which 100,000 doses were donated by the Government of India and the rest acquired through the COVAX facility. As it stands, 530,000 vaccines have already been distributed to various regional centers across the nation with a total of 40,359 frontline workers being vaccinated.
The ministry went ahead to inform the public that the vaccines are available to eligible members of the society at all referral centers and selected facilities in the counties inclusive of those owned and privately managed as well as faith-based organizations. Eligible officers can turn up for vaccination and get the jab for free.
The elderly and those with underlying conditions are yet to be notified when their exercise will start as they fall under the first vaccination phase.
Health CS Mutahi Kagwe noted that health facilities are currently overstretched but not yet overrun. He said that a huge number are being hospitalized with the number of those in ICU shooting up. As of yesterday, the number of those in ICU was at 121, 32 of whom on ventilatory support which is double the number that was there in the last two months.
Positive Cases as of yesterday
As of March 22nd, 1,130 people tested positive to the disease out of a sample size of 5,119 conducted, with the positivity rate shooting to 22%. 1,059 were Kenyans and 71 foreigners among which 586 were male, 544 females with the youngest being a one-year-old-baby and the oldest 94 years.
The country’s capital reported the highest number of positive cases as per the county distribution, the figure standing at 730, Kiambu 118, Machakos 60, Kajiado 33, Nakuru 30, Meru 24, Uasin Gishu 23, Laikipia 19, Mombasa 14, Murang’a 10, Kilifi 7, Nyeri 7, Kirinyaga 7, Tharaka Nithi 6, Kisii 4, Embu 3, Bungoma 3, Busia 3, Kericho 3, Kisumu 3, Nyandarua 3, Taita Taveta 2, Marsabit 2, Baringo 2, Isiolo 2, Kitui 1, Makueni 1, Mandera 1, Migori 1, Nandi 1, Narok 1, Trans Nzoia 1, Kakamega 1, Turkana 1, Wajir 1, West Pokot 1 and Marakwet 1.
From the report, the country reported 754 recoveries making a total recovery of 90,376 patients since the pandemic hit the country in March last year. Unfortunately, 12 succumbed to the disease making the fatality total hit 2,023.
