Fourteen Covid 19 patients on Thursday succumbed to the disease as the number of daily infections almost tripled since measures to restrict movements were eased.
Health Chief Administrative Dr. Rashid Aman the latest fatalities now brings to 325 the number of people who have died of the highly contagious disease since the first case was reported in the country earlier in the year.
He told the daily brief on the status of the pandemic that the country recorded 788 new Covid-19 infection over the last 24 hours from a sample size of 5,521 specimen bringing the total number of confirmed positive cases in the country so far to 19,913.
The country has so far submitted at least 295,280 samples for testing.
“From the cases 785 are Kenyans while 3 are foreigners with the youngest patient being a one year old child while the oldest is 89 years old”, he said .
Today’s cases have also seen 475 male and 313 female amid concerns that the occurrence could be linked to poor dietary habits and lifestyles as majority rarely consumed vegetables and fruits daily.
Dr Aman was pleased to announce that 100 patients recovered from the disease out of which eight were from the Home based Care programs bringing the total number of those who have fully recovered from the viral disease now to 8,121.
He gave a breakdown on today’s figures where Nairobi again led the pack with the number of new infections at 487, followed by Kiambu 86 , Nakuru 34, Kajiado 26, Mombasa 25, Machakos 21, Busia 20, Narok 14, Bomet 9, Kericho 8, Siaya 8, Kisumu 8., Uasin Gishu 5, Baringo 5, Garissa 5, Nyeri 4, Tharaka Nithi 4, Murang’a 3, Nandi 3, Kilifi 2, Kirinyaga 2, Meru 2, Trans-Nzoia 2, Homa Bay 1, , Kitui 1, Kwale 1, Lamu 1 and Makueni 1.
In Nairobi the 487 cases are distributed in Lang’ata (58), Westlands (50), Dagoretti North (42), Embakasi East (39) Makadara (34), Embakasi South (32), Starehe (32) Embakasi West (30), Roysambu (29), Kasarani (28), Ruaraka (19), Kibra (19), Dagoretti South (19), Embakasi North (18), Embakasi Central (14), Kamukunji (14), Mathare (10)
Dr. Rashid took the opportunity to urge Kenyans seriously take their dietary issues by ensuring they were balanced and diversified to boost their immune system in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic..
He also discouraged smoking habits and consumption of alcohol which he said compromised the immunity leaving the body more vulnerable to infections
Dr Rashid urged resident to instead engage in regular physical activity saying moderate -intensity exercise had immune-boosting benefits that helps our bodies fight infections, including COVID-19.
“Adults should aim at 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity in at least 5 days of the week that is running, walking, cycling, farming, aerobic exercises, dancing, hula hooping, rope skipping, household chores and children playing among other activities”, Dr. Rashid said.
The CAS noted that there have been questions in the social media enquiring on nutrition management of COVID-19 symptoms saying that that mild symptoms including coughing, lack of appetite, early satiety and fatigue can be managed by taking warm water/fluids regularly throughout the day.
“It can also be managed by eating small frequent meals rich in nutrients, eating preferred nutritious meals or snacks, increase intake of fruits, seeds and nuts in addition to a healthy diet”, he said .
However, Dr. Rashid warned that if one is undernourished, overweight or obese or unable to eat as a result of the disease, its symptoms or other existing comorbidities, they should see healthcare providers for more specialized and individualized nutrition and dietetics care.
Dr. Patrick Amoth, ag. Director General of health said that out of todays 14 deaths, 9 of them had no existing co- morbidities and this shows that the disease is assuming a different effect on the population.
He specifically mentioned that young people who are in the productive stage are the ones who are succumbing to the virus whose peak is likely to increase between the month of August, September and October and thus called on them to adhere to measures put by the Ministry of Health .
“Currently 1275 people are admitted for COVID in our hospitals, 56 are in the ICU, 34 under ventilators, 20 are on supplemental oxygen support and 2 on observation in the ICU”, Dr. Amoth explained
By Wangari Ndirangu
