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Kenya on Wednesday, April 1, announced that it recorded 22 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total confirmed infections to 81.
Eighteen out of the 22 new cases, were those of Kenyan nationals, whereas two were of Pakistani nationals and the final two were of Cameroon natives.
Health Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe, said at least 300 tests were conducted between Tuesday and Wednesday, and 22, who were placed in isolation immediately after arriving in Kenya, tested positive for the virus.
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Thirteen out of the 22 are male, whereas nine are female, said the CS.
Eight Kenyan counties produced 15 of the new cases. These include: Kakamega (1), Kiambu (2), Kilifi (1), Machakos (1), Mombasa (7), Murang’a (1), Nairobi (1) and Nyamira (1).
Four of the new cases were confirmed among patients of foreign origin.
“These are not people who are in those counties, these are not people who lived in those counties recently. They were quarantined immediately after arriving in Kenya through the airports,” said CS Kagwe.
Skepticism
The minister expressed concern over “skepticism” among Kenyans, who “still do not believe that COVID-19 reality is as grave as the World is painting it”.
“Coronavirus is here with us in Kenya. I would like to add that there are a lot of skeptics, who doubt that the disease is in Kenya. The disease is spreading widely in our society,” said CS Kagwe.
Kenya has thus far registered a single death from COVID-19, and two recoveries. The total cases under treatment, therefore, stands at 78.
The Acting Director General of Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, who addressed the press alongside CS Kagwe at Afya House Wednesday, said 77 out of the 78 patients are in stable conditions, with only one case admitted to the intensive care unit at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi.
“Only one of the patients is at the ICU at Aga Khan Hospital, and he is on ventilator support,” said Dr. Amoth, adding: “We are keeping in touch with the hospital to monitor his progress.”
“In the next two or three days, there could be another patient who will be declared virus-free,” said Dr. Amoth.
More soon.
