Kenya on Friday recorded 28 Covid-19 deaths - the highest number since the first case was confirmed in March 2020.
Briefing the nation from Afya House, Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi said that the rising cases of infections are an indication that Kenyans have lowered their guard.
The number of fatalities now stands at 1,982 while the total caseload in the country is 118,889.
The CAS said that 1,354 new cases turned positive from a sample size of 7,732 collected in the last 24 hours.
The youngest being a seven-month infant while the oldest is 100 years while 1,302 are Kenyans and 53 are foreigners.
From the new cases, 719 are males and 635 are females.
She said that the positivity rate has risen from 17 per cent to 17.5 per cent.
Mwangangi said that the number of patients who have been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit has increased to 123, compared to 114 on Thursday.
Also, 148 patients are on supplemental oxygen with 17 of them being in the High Dependency Unit.
The CAS added that 830 patients are admitted to various health facilities in the country, while 2,332 are on home Based Isolation and Care.
Mwangangi said that the trend is worrying and that all the efforts must be met to arrest the situation.
“The rising cases are an indication that we have lowered our guard and the majority of us have drawn caution to the window. This must not be the case. Since we have warned the country that we are already in the third wave, this is the time to return to the basics,” Mwangangi said.
Mwangagni has said that the country should continue following the Covid protocols to ensure that the virus is contained even as schools are closed.
Further, 185 patients have recovered from the disease, 136 from the Home-Based and Isolation Care, while 49 are from various health facilities. Total recoveries now stand at 89,388.
The CAS said that the country will consider reintroducing stringent measures to curb the situation if the current trend does not improve.
“We have seen in situations wherein other countries, complete lockdowns have started getting effected again. And I am sure would not like to see a return to more stringent measures but this is more likely to happen should the situation not improve.”
From the new cases, Nairobi lead with 717, Nakuru 174, Kiambu 100, Machakos 55, Kisumu 40, Mombasa 35, Trans Nzoia 28, Nandi 27, Kericho 25, Siaya 17, Bomet 13, Kajiado 13, Baringo 11 and Kilifi 10.
Taita Taveta 8, Meru 8, Nyandarua 8, Busia 7, Kakamega 7, Makueni 6, Murang’a 5, Kitui 4, Homabay 4, Nyamira 4, Bungoma 3, Migori 3, Nyeri 3, Tharaka Nithi 3, Embu 2, and Kirinyaga, Kwale, Laikipia, Kwale, Uasin Gishu, Vihiga, Marsabit, Wajir and Elgeyo Marakwet have single cases each.
