Kenya has recorded 599 more Covid-19 positive cases in the last 24 hours bringing the total number of cases in Kenya to 26,436.
During the daily Covid-19 briefing in Kisumu County on Sunday, August 9, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe announced that 4,420 samples had been tested over the same period bringing total samples tested so far to 353,727.
Of the 599 cases tested, 373 are male and 226 are female while the youngest case is a 1-year-old baby, and the oldest is aged 82.
At the same time, a record of 1,062 patients was discharged from the hospital bringing the total recoveries to 12,961. Only 79 of the discharges were from hospitals while the rest were from the home-based care program.
Regrettably, two patients who succumbed to the disease bring the total death toll to 420.
Kisumu County Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o noted that isolation beds in the county surpassed the 400 mark with 25 being equipped to cater for critically ill patients.
The governor further revealed that 2,400 healthcare workers had been trained to handle Covid-19.
While reviewing Kisumu’s level of preparedness, the CS disclosed that the use of technology such as bulk SMS was effective in curbing the spread of Covid-19.
He further praised Nyong’o, who he revealed had been his teacher in the past, for sensitizing police officers on ways to deal with the Covid-19 virus which is highly contagious.
He also hailed the city management for maintaining cleanliness and order in the set up of kiosks.
Kagwe encouraged all counties to protect health workers by procuring PPEs that have met standards provided by the Ministry of Health.
“It has been brought to our attention about doctors behaving badly to undermine families by exploiting their emotions,” he stated promising to take action against doctors issuing negative certificates to people who die of Covid-19 for normal burials.
He further urged medics to ensure that a posthumous Covid-19 test is carried out on people who die without the cause of death is clearly outlined.
“Bidding loved one’s farewell is important to all of us but it should not end with greater pain or loss of more lives. Wearing a mask and following government directives is not a favor to a law enforcement officer,” he added.