Alarm over spiraling COVID-19 cases in Nairobi, Kenyans warned of more stringent measures

The Health Ministry has sounded the alarm over the spiraling number of COVID-19 cases in Nairobi after it emerged that 57 percent of infections this week were reported from the capital city.

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According to Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi, Nairobi had a total of 5,718 cases in the last nine days; Kiambu 888; Nakuru 625; Machakos 414; Kajiado 199; Nyeri 100 and Kericho 58.

“Total between the 7 counties is 9,893 and Nairobi accounts for the majority of the positive cases in the country. Nairobi’s contribution to this positivity is a staggering 57.7pc,” she lamented. “It is really disheartening because people are missing beds in ICU,” Dr. Mwangangi said.

She warned that unless this trend is arrested the Government may have no alternative but take more stringent measures as necessary to protect lives.

The CAS expressed concern over laxity of adherence to COVID-19 safety measures and urged Kenyans not to let their guard down.

The country’s case load currently is at 124,707 after 1,540 more positive cases were reported on Wednesday.

Out of these cases, Nairobi recorded 865 cases.

1,073 patients are currently admitted in various health facilities countrywide, while 3,315 patients are on Home Based Isolation and Care.

141 patients are in the ICU, 34 of whom are on ventilatory support and 99 on supplemental oxygen. 8 patients are on observation.

Another 60 patients are separately on supplementary oxygen with 48 of them in the general wards and 12 in the High Dependency Unit (HDU).

18 deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours.