Covid-19 Cases In Kenya Rise As Kenyans Head Into Christmas

By Erica Nsunjo / Published December 11, 2020 | 10:30 am

Cases of COVID-19 have continued to rise in Kenya. The Ministry of Health says the third wave might be worse than anticipated.

644 people tested positive for Covid-19 in Kenya on Thursday from a sample size of 6,811 tested in 24 hours, bringing to 90,305 the number of confirmed positive cases in the country.

1,060 patients have recovered from the disease, 910 from the Home-Based Care Program, while 150 have been discharged from various hospitals.

The country’s total number of recoveries now stands at 71,254. Sadly, additionally, 16 patients have succumbed to the disease bringing the total number of fatalities to 1,568.

Currently, there are 994 patients admitted in various health facilities countrywide with 7,844 on Home Based Isolation and Care. 55 patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 27 of whom are on ventilatory support, and 27 on supplemental oxygen. 1 is on observation.

MOH data shows that another 53 patients are separately on supplementary oxygen out of whom 46 are in the general wards. 7 are in the High Dependency Unit (HDU).

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Health has said that The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) is expected to start releasing Personal Protective Equipment from their warehouses by Friday.

The protective equipment and gears have been lying idle in KEMSA warehouses. According to the report, Kenya purchased overpriced COVID-19 supplies and there has been lower demand, and the agency may not be able to sell the stock.

According to CAS Mercy Mwangangi, the authority will be informed of the decision to have the PPEs sold at an affordable price.

In October, Kenya’s auditor General Nancy Gathangu said the country stands to lose $21 million in the procurement of COVID-19 medical supplies because the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency failed to follow procurement law.

Meanwhile, according to current stats, there have been over 68 million confirmed cases globally of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, and more than 1.5 million deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.

About Erica Nsunjo

Nsunjo Erica is a Practicing Journalist / Activist / Patriot / Practicing Politician / Practicing Entrepreneur / aspiring Lawyer, and a proud Ugandan. Because the journey is not static, I am molding it accordingly.

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