Kenya has recorded 193 more Covid-19 positive cases in the last 24 hours bringing the total number of cases in Kenya to 32,557.
Speaking during a press briefing on Monday, August 24, Health CAS Rashid Aman indicated that 3,381 samples had been tested over the same period bringing total samples tested so far to 425,364
Of the 193 cases tested, 137 are male and 56 are female. The youngest case is a 2-month-old infant and the oldest is aged 87 years.
On a positive note, 225 patients have been discharged from hospital bringing the total recoveries to 18,895.
Sadly, 6 patients succumbed to the virus bringing the total number of fatalities to 554.
The caseloads across the counties were detailed as follows.
Nairobi 78, Embu 24, Garissa 21, Kiambu 18, Nyeri 13, Mombasa 10, Samburu 6, Murang’a 5, Lamu 4, Kajiado 3, Trans Nzoia 2, Kilifi 2, with Machakos, Isiolo, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Nyandarua, Uasin Gishu and Nakuru all recording 1 cases each.
He went on to explain that newborn deaths account for 42% of all under 5 deaths and 56% of all infants.
The main causes of neonatal mortality were detailed as intrapartum complications, birth asphyxia (31.6%), prematurity (26%), and infections which account for 15.8% of the deaths.
The Health CAS was quick to laud the efforts of health workers positioned in the front lines.
“We appeal to our healthcare workers to continue to render their important services during this critical time as they hold dialogues,” he stated.
Addressing the issue of whether Kenya’s curve was flattening based on the significant drop in positive cases, Health Director-General Dr. Patrick Amoth revealed that the country was on track.
He further explained that today’s infection rate stood at 5.7% compared to yesterday’s 5.8%.
According to CAS Mercy Mwangangi’s revelation during a press briefing in the previous week, the country needs to hit an infection of 5% or less and sustain it for a period of 2 weeks to flatten the curve.
Dr. Amoth echoed her sentiments and maintained that despite the latest results, it was still too early to make an informed conclusion.
CAS Aman also informed the public that Kenya could soon go back to reporting high figures once they resume testing more samples.
He further explained that the reduction in the number of confirmed cases was as a result of testing fewer samples caused by a hiccup in the supply of reagents