Confirming what many Kenyans have been worried about, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has said Kenya is without doubt heading towards a Covid-19 infections second wave. The Health CS has painted a grim picture of the pandemic’s increasing effects, and he has urged Kenyans to seriously adhere to the Covid-19 infection prevention directives. On Sunday, the CS confirmed 685 new cases, picked from 4,912 samples tested in the last 24 hours. The total positive cases in Kenya are now 44,881, while cumulative tests conducted are 621,976.
From the new cases, 635 are Kenyans while 50 are foreigners, with the youngest being a 1-year old child and the oldest 90 years old. 456 are males and 229 are females. 7 patients have succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, as fatalities reach 832. The recoveries have risen to 31,857 after 105 patients recovered.
Kagwe said the positivity rate has increased sharply since the containment measures were relaxed. On 1st October, the positivity rate was 4%, on 2nd October it rose to 7% and now it’s at 12%, “The spike hasn’t erupted out of nowhere, it has been triggered by wanton violations of containment protocols and advice from our experts,” he stated. The ICU cases have also risen, with 28 confirmed and hospital admissions have also shot up to close to 1,000.
The Health CS held a meeting with National Emergency Response Committee on Coronavirus officials hours before speaking to the press, and said experts described the current scenario in Kenya as a case of new infections. With patients aged between 20-39 accounting for 54% of all cases, those aged over 58 years are still at higher mortality risk, at 50%.
He added that business owners like bar operators and owners should ensure customers adhere to the containment measures, noting there has been a weak link in the sector, “The same business owners who pleaded with the President to reopen the businesses because of the hardships they were facing as a result of the closures should work with us in enforcing measures in order to stop escalation of restrictions,” said Kagwe.
Distribution of the cases by Counties is as follows; Nairobi 141, Nakuru 127, Mombasa 73, Trans Nzoia 61, Kisii 37, Kiambu 30, Kakamega 27, Kisumu 27, Busia 20, Kilifi 18, Nandi 18, Nyeri 14, Turkana 14, Nyamira 10, Kajiado 9, Taita Taveta 9, Bungoma 8, Uasin Gishu 6, Laikipia 6, Machakos 6, Baringo 5, Murang’a 3, Meru 3, Wajir 3, Kitui 2, Kwale 2, Makueni 2, Siaya 1, Elgeyo Marakwet 1, Vihiga 1 and Isiolo 1.