The Ministry of Health on Sunday announced 599 more cases of Covid-19 in Kenya following the testing of 4,420 samples in 24 hours.
This brings the country’s caseload to 26,436 since March 13th when the first case was reported in the country.
The Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe announced a record 1, 062 corona virus recoveries, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 12, 961.
This is the highest number of patients to be discharged since the pandemic broke out with 983 of them being from the home based care programme.
However, two more patients who were on treatment succumbed to the disease raising the death toll in the country to 420.
The CS said 593 of the new patients were Kenyans and 6 foreigners living in the country, while 373 were males 226 females. The youngest patient was one-year-old and the oldest 86.
Of the new cases on Sunday, Nairobi had 318, Kiambu 70, Nakuru 39, Machakos 38, Mombasa 28, Kericho 26, Isiolo 10, Kisii 9, Kakamega 6 and Makueni 5, while Kitui, Kisumu and Murang’a recorded four cases each.
Kagwe cautioned doctors and medical personnel against malpractices while handling Covid-19 cases to ensure that the war against the virus is won.
Some Doctors in private hospitals, he said, were colluding with families whose loved ones succumb to the disease to issue covid-19 free certificates to facilitate normal burial.
This, he said, was unprofessional and a threat to the gains made in the country in the fight against the disease, adding that stern action shall be taken against them.
Meanwhile, Kenya alongside other partners was conducting research to understand the dynamics of the disease, noted the CS, adding that the successes of the joint efforts must be mutually owned to ensure that both parties benefit.
Kagwe made the remarks at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu where he led health ministry officials in a tour of the County to examine measures taken to boost the fight against the virus.
He said the government will continue to support all health workers with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE’s) to enhance their safety while handling covid-19 patients.
At the same time, the CS disclosed that the ministry of health shall channel funds through the national Chamber of Commerce and Industry to be given to local tailors to manufacture masks with strict Kenya Bureau of Standards regulations.
He lauded the efforts put in place by Kisumu to contain the spread of the virus, urging the county emergency response team not to relent to ensure that the virus is contained.
The Education Cabinet Secretary (CS), Prof. George Magoha reiterated that schools shall reopen in January subject to recommendations by the ministry of health.
He asked parents to be patient, adding that the government cannot risk to reopen schools when the Covid-19 cases in the country were rising.
On his part, the Kisumu Governor, Prof. Anyang Nyong’o said the county has installed 401 isolation beds at JOOTRH, Kisumu County Hospital, Lumumba Hospital and all sub-county hospitals.
By Chris Mahandara
