Kenya has today recorded 515 new coronavirus cases, pushing the national tally to 29,849.
The new cases were drawn from some 6,353 people whose samples were tested in the last 24hrs.
From the new cases, 496 were Kenyans while 19 were foreigners. In terms of gender, 316 were male and 199 were female.
The youngest case is an 8-month-old infant while the oldest is 92.
Nairobi led with 251 new cases with Kitui reporting 41, Kiambu 33, Kericho 23, Kisii 19, Bomet 19, Nakuru 18, Homa Bay 16, Laikipia 12 and Murang’a 11 among others.
Speaking at Afya House on Saturday, Health CAS Dr Mercy Mwangangi (pictured) reiterated that residents are still allowed to seek professional help in hospitals.
She said surgical services, especially, are still available, regardless of the Covid-19 period. Dr Mwangangi admitted that the pandemic has disrupted essential surgical services but guidelines have been issued to ensure patients are attended to safely.
Elective surgeries will require the patients to take pre-operative Covid-19 tests, but according to Dr Mwangangi, emergency surgeries like those in complicated deliveries or accidents will be performed under infection control prevention measures.
A review by the Health ministry on the NHIF data on surgical procedures showed an "adverse effect" of Covid-19 on surgical procedures. Five months ago, NHIF would run about 44,528 surgeries and ensure providers are compensated. However, with the onset of coronavirus, the number has reduced to 32,717.
Dr Mwangangi cited the Kenyatta National Hospital, which recorded 9,598 surgeries between March and July last year. In the same period this year, KNH recorded 6,180 surgeries. The trend is the same in other referral hospitals.
Some 672 coronavirus patients recovered, pushing the national recovery tally to 15,970 as the fatality number hit 472.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health plans to roll out an online home-based care programme to guide caregivers in the fight against Covid-19.
This was as health officials commended the positive impact of home-based care in the fight against the pandemic.
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