Kisumu leads in new COVID-19 infections as MoH announces 433 cases,18 deaths

The Ministry of Health announced a 9.7 percent COVID-19 positivity rate on Tuesday, from 433 new COVID-19 infections tested from 4,479 samples in the last 24 hours.

Kisumu county, which has been experiencing a surge, had the most new positive cases, with 129.

Nairobi came in second with 84 cases, while Siaya came in third with 24.

Kisumu county has been considered the epicenter of the Indian COVID-19 variant’s transmission for the past month; the variant is thought to cause severe COVID-19 disease in those infected.

The latest report released by Kisumu county governor, Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o, is confirming the worse fears, the current infections rate are presenting more severe symptoms that earlier cases.

Over the last few weeks, Kisumu county has recorded a steady increase in its COVID-19 cases which have led to a cumulative number of 5,739 infections so far.

Meanwhile, the new infections push the total of confirmed positive cases in the country to 173,072 and the cumulative tests conducted to 1,840,889.

They comprise 415 Kenyans and 18 foreigners; 247 are male while 186 are female.

The youngest is a two-month-old infant while the oldest is 98 years old.

The age distribution of the new infections is as follows: 0-9 years (18), 10-19 years (27), 20-29 years (67), 30-39 (105) 40-49 (75) 50- 59 (54) 60 years and above (87).

In terms of County distribution; Kisumu 129, Nairobi 84, Siaya 24, Mombasa 24, Trans Nzoia 23, Kericho 21, Uasin Gishu 16, Nakuru 14, Makueni 11, Kiambu 11, Kisii 9, Homa Bay 8, Nyamira 8, Kajiado 7, Bomet 6, Bungoma 5, Baringo 4, Busia 3, Garissa 3, Kakamega 3, Kilifi 3, Kwale 2, Machakos 2, Marsabit 2, Meru 2, Narok 2, Nyeri 2, Elgeyo Marakwet 1, Embu 1, Kirinyaga 1, Laikipia 1 and Murang’a 1.

A total of 1,125 patients are currently admitted in various health facilities countrywide, while 4,895 patients are under Home Based Isolation and Care program. 111 patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 27 of whom are on ventilatory support and 66 on supplemental oxygen. 18 patients are under observation.

Another 98 patients are separately on supplemental oxygen with 91 of them in general wards and 7 in High Dependency Units (HDU).

At the same time, the Health Ministry announced 395 new recoveries;262 from the Home-based care and isolation and 133 from various hospitals across the country.

Total recoveries now stand at 118,621 of whom 86,154 are from the Home Based Care and Isolation program, while 32,467 are from various health facilities countrywide.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the disease has hit 3,326 following 18 new deaths reported on Tuesday.

According to the statement,all the deaths were late death reports from facility record audits conducted on diverse dates in the months of April and May

New deaths by age; 0-9 years (1), 10-19 years (0), 20-29 (0), 30-39 years (1), 40-49 years (2), 50-59 years (1), 60 years and above (13).

Cumulative deaths by age; 0-9 years (55), 10-19 years (23), 20- 29 (110), 30-39 years (269), 40-49 years (411), 50-59 years (687), 60 years and above (1,771).