Covid panic in Kilifi as cases surge ahead of Christmas festivities
Kilifi yesterday recorded 145 Covid-19 cases as concerns emerged over the surge in cases at a time the county is preparing to welcome more guests during the Christmas and New Year festive seasons.
According to the date released by the Ministry of Health yesterday, nationally, the country recorded 548 cases from a sample size of 6,953 tested in the last 24 hours, bringing to 91,526 the cumulative sum of confirmed positive cases. From the cases, 520 cases are Kenyans while 28 are foreigners.
Another four people succumbed to the disease. In terms of distribution, males lead with 354 of the cases and 194 females. The youngest is a five-year old child while the oldest being 96 years old.
Data released by the National Emergency response committee on Coronavirus, Nairobi County topped with 158 followed by Kilifi (145), spreading from Malindi with 102, Kilifi North, which forms parts of Mtwapa with 27, Magarini (seven), Ganze and Rabai three cases each while Kilifi South and Kaloleni also one case each.
The spike in contraction throws caution to holiday goes, especially from upcountry preparing to troop the Coastal strip for December vacation that they will be required to be extra vigilant and adhere to Covid-19 protocols.
In Mombasa, one of the coastal towns expected to attract more visitors during this festive season recorded 27, with Mvita recording 17, Kisauni (four) while Changamwe Jomvu and Nyali recorded two cases each.
Move to flatten the curve seams not to be bearing fruits as data from the ministry shows that by yesterday, at least 982 patients were admitted in various health facilities countrywide and 6,782 on home-based care.
At least 44 patients were admitted at Intensive Care Unit, 27 of whom are on ventilation support, and 15 on supplemental Oxygen.
Two are on observation. Another 47 patients are separately on supplementary Oxygen out of who 38 are in general wards. Nine are in High Dependency Unit.
However, at-least 1,017 patients were reported to have recovered,980 from home-based care programme, while 37 were discharged from various hospitals bringing the total recoveries to 72,596 countrywide.
Distribution across counties showed that Nakuru had 37, Busia (27), Mombasa (27),Turkana (20), Kajiado (18), Kiambu (17), Uasin Gishu (15), Kakamega (13), Bungoma (10), Kisii (seven), Nyamira (seven), Kericho (five), Kisumu (four), Machakos (four), Tana River (four), Nandi (four), Marsabit (three), Nyeri (three), Siaya (three) and Vihiga (three).
Others are West Pokot (two), Tharaka Nithi (one), Makueni (one), Kitui (one), Isiolo, Kwale, Taita Taveta, Meru, Garissa and Laikipia having only one positive case each.
