Fear has gripped residents of counties outside the initial epicentres of coronavirus – Nairobi and Mombasa – with more deaths and unprecedented infection rates recorded.
Total infections in the country reached 55,192 yesterday when 1,395 people were confirmed to have the virus.
Another 15 patients died, bringing the death toll to 996.
There are at least 1,241 patients admitted to hospital.
County government administrations and health workers say hospitals could soon be overwhelmed by the teaming number of coronavirus patients. Another 4,495 Covid-19 patients are on home-based care programme.
Of the admissions, some 55 patients are in intensive care, 32 on ventilator support and 23 on supplementary oxygen, according to the Ministry of Health.
The surge of infections, coupled with deaths of high profile personalities have left residents of Kakamega county in fear.
In the past two days, Kakamega has witnessed the deaths of county chief of staff Robert Sumbi , gubernatorial candidate in the 2017 election Mable Muruli and Dr Daniel Alushula, a surgeon at the referral hospital.
“He showed no symptoms and was admitted to hospital for treatment but his condition deteriorated,” a doctor at the hospital told the Sunday Nation.
Health workers yesterday asked politicians to reduce meetings that they blame on the escalating cases.
They added that more than 1,000 health care workers have been infected with coronavirus and that many have died in the line of duty.
Kakamega reported 15 new infections yesterday, even as theNairobi continued to lead in the numbers.
The city recorded 569, followed by Nakuru (149), Kiambu (148) and Mombasa (147).
While most rural counties recorded fewer than 100 cases, the infections are increasing drastically.
The situation has sent authorities and health managers into a state of alert amid shortages of personal protective equipment and healthcare workers.
Increased community infections have been blamed on Kenyans flouting guidelines meant to stop the pandemic, such wearing face masks, frequent washing of hands, social distancing and avoiding handshakes.
Experts say the virus is being spread at social gatherings, with political meetings also receiving a fair share of the blame.
The devolved government of Kakamega has begun instituting measures to stop the spread of the deadly virus, with Butere Hospital suspending operations at the theatre after six patients tested positive.
Health care workers, county government employees, inmates and prison warders have been infected with Covid-19.
In his briefing to the media after chairing the County Covid-19 Response Committee this week, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said the region has recorded more than 300 cases of coronavirus since June , among them 57 health care employees.
The surge in infections has stretched facilities at the Mumias County Hospital isolation centre, which now has 90 patients.
Governor Oparanya said Kakamega faces a shortage of ICU specialists and plans to recruit the doctors on contract.
Samples have to be taken to Kenya Medical Research Institute laboratories in Kisumu before the results are released a day or two later.
Health executive Collins Matemba said many patients are asymptomatic, meaning the disease is spreading fast.
Kakamega Central police boss David Kabena said 100 people were arrested. “We will intensify the crackdown,” Mr Kabena said.
