Covid-19 death toll in Kenya has risen to 964 after 14 patients succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has said.
While addressing CECs in charge of health on Thursday at the Whitesands Hotel in Mombasa, Kagwe, also announced that confirmed cases in the country now stand at 52,612 after 761 people tested positive.
The latest cases are from a sample size of 4,830 people who were tested in the last 24 hours.
Kagwe said there has been a spike in the number of positive cases, patients in hospitals as well as daily fatalities.
“In July we were at 13 percent positivity rate. Yesterday and today we were at 15 percent,” he said.
“The first responsibility on containment is the individuals. We might escalate measures. Containment is a matter for all individuals to adhere to. Remain disciplined, wear face masks and wash your hands,” he said.
Kagwe said his ministry is working with the Ministry of Education in monitoring the situation in learning institutions.
“If trend changes we will take measures within the affected schools, instead of closing all schools,” he said.
The CS said that from the new cases, 711 are Kenyans while 50 are foreigners. In terms of gender 503 are males and 258 are females.
Of the new cases, 395 were recorded in Nairobi County, followed by Uasin Gishu (103), Mombasa (55), Kiambu (44) Kilifi (30) and Busia (21).
Other cases were recorded in Migori (14), Nakuru (12), Trans Nzoia (12), Machakos (12), Embu (11), Kajiado (11), Kirinyaga (8), Homa Bay (6), Kitale (5), Nyandarua (3), Nyeri (3), Vihiga (3), West Pokot (2), Meru (2) and Tharaka Nithi (2).
Kakamega, Wajir, Siaya, Murang’a, Nandi and Taita Taveta Counties recorded one new case each.
