Counties tighten measures amid soaring Covid-19 cases and deaths

Counties have stepped up surveillance and contact tracing as the number of Covid-19 infections and deaths doubles.

Yesterday, 1,008 people tested positive for the virus, out of a sample size of 6,038 bringing to 59,595 number of positive cases since the pandemic was reported in March.

Nairobi was leading with 417 cases followed by Mombasa that recorded 87 cases and Kiambu with 51.

Kajiado (48), Nakuru (35), Kisumu (32), Kakamega (32) and Trans Nzoia (26) also recorded high numbers.

At least 21 people succumbed to the virus, bringing total number of deaths to 1,072.

The number of hospital admissions across the country is also on the rise, in what is referred to as a second wave of the virus.

As of yesterday, 1,262 people were admitted in various hospitals across the country while 5,189 were being managed under the home-based care initiative.

“62 patients are in 62 Intensive Care Units (ICU), 26 of whom are on ventilatory support and 31 on supplementary oxygen,” read a statement by Heath Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.

“Another 87 patients are on supplementary oxygen out of whom, 74 are in general wards, while 13 are in the High Dependency Unit (HDU)”, the statement added.

Following the directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta after holding a meeting with governors on Wednesday, governors and public health officials have warned locals against flouting the set rules.

Kisumu Governor Peter Nyong'o directed people to wear masks, keep social distance, avoid crowds, observe curfew hours and leave funerals to family members.

“I would like to appeal to the people of Kisumu County to fully cooperate with the national and county governments in implementing these measures to avoid a brush with law enforcers who are under firm instructions to enforce them,” said Nyong’o in the statement.

In Nakuru, the department of health stated that anyone under home-based care who does not adhere to directives will be placed in isolation centres.

Samuel King'ori, the Nakuru Public Health Chief Officer said some asymptomatic patients were sneaking out of their homes. "We shall not entertain a section of people to spread the virus at a time we are trying to flatten the curve." 

During his address after holding a summit with governors in Nairobi, President Kenyatta directed counties to supply sufficient medical oxygen to isolation wards to treat Covid-19 patients.

The majority of patients presenting themselves to hospitals are in a critical state, and in need of medical oxygen.

The highest number of deaths (23) were recorded in the country on August 1 after air travel was opened. The number of virus-related deaths hit the 1,000-mark on November 1 when 17 people died.

The highest number of infections were also recorded on November 4, with at least 1,494 people testing positive out of a sample size of 8,834.

Nairobi had 414 cases, followed by Nakuru with 188. Mombasa had 173, Kiambu had 150 and Uasin Gishu had 107 cases. Turkana recorded 52, Kilifi had 50, Garissa had 35, Taita Taveta had 35 while Kajiado and Baringo 31 cases each.