COVID-19: Increase ICU beds, get ambulances ready- Kagwe

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe (pictured) has asked county governments to increase ICU beds as Kenya experiences the third wave of Covid-19.

“We are going to emphasise on home-based isolation and care because of how stretched hospitals are,” said CS Kagwe. 

Kenya on Wednesday reported 1,279 new Covid-19 cases out of a sample size of 7,450, a positivity rate of 17.1 percent. 

The cumulative caseload now stands at 116,310 out of 1,387,440 tests conducted since March 2020 when the first case was reported.

Twelve people have died over the last 24 hours bringing recorded deaths to 200 since January 2021. 

Hospital admissions include 754 Covid patients with 2,167 on home-based isolation and care. 

Reported recoveries stand at 280 with 154 from the home-based isolation and care and 126 from various health facilities countrywide. 

Kagwe asked counties to have all their ambulances at the ready for evacuating severe cases from home-based isolation. He also urged for the urgent vigilance of Community Health Volunteers in managing all those in home-based isolation and care.

According to the Health Ministry, 19,900 people have so far received the AstraZeneca vaccine-with a second dose to be fully effective.

The clergy and Kenyans above 60 years will be included in the ongoing first phase of inoculation. 

 “Do not agree to sit next to someone in a matatu who is not wearing a mask” said the CS as Director of Public Health, Dr Francis Kuria said Nairobi has already reported the existence of the COVID-19 UK variant in persons with no history of travel and surveillance will verify whether it is associated with the new wave. 

Kagwe pressed for strict adherence to public orders and curfew measures as directed by President Uhuru Kenyatta to stem what appears to be a looming third wave of infections.