Kagwe terms latest statistics grim as 14 more lose battle to virus
Reuben Mwambingu @reubenmwambingu
The government yesterday admitted that the country was experiencing a second wave of Covid-19 pandemic.
Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe made the admission as the country’s caseload crossed the 52,000 mark after 761 new confirmed cases from 4,830 samples tested in the last 24 hours.
Yesterday’s case brings to 52,612 the number of confirmed positive cases in the country.
Speaking in Mombasa, Kagwe warned that latest statistics are looking grim, with all indications that Kenyans have dropped their guard and are no longer adhering to Covid-19 containment measures.
“As you have noticed, the numbers of cases of hospitalisation and fatalities have gone up.
We are in a second wave. Private hospitals are already stretched out and the faith we have in our own public sector is wanting.
Up until yesterday, we had lost 54 people this week alone and 14 have died today raising the death toll to 964,” he said.
He said that 1,084 patients are admitted in various health facilities with 35 in the Intensive Care Unit at various hospitals across the country.
Out of these, 14 are on supplementary oxygen while 18 are on ventilatory support, the CS said.
“It is obvious that something has gone amiss. The spread of the disease is largely in crowded areas especially entertainment joints.
We sadly seem to have dropped our guard. Containment is not for the government alone, it is everyone’s responsibility,” he warned.
The CS said the Health ministry will give further directions after the review on the resurgence of infections is concluded.
He reiterated that key management of Covid-19 patients is through home based care, adding that those with no symptoms should not be restricted to hospitals.
“If you expose yourself, those who will take of you is your own family. It is now a family responsibility.
All the family members will leave you in your room, move beds to create a room for you,” he warned.
He also said most counties have done well in the fight against the spread of the virus with some having achieved the 350-bed capacity as directed by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
