COVID-19 Cases Rise Ahead of Vaccine Arrival

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe in a statement on Tuesday, March 2 noted that the new cases were out of a sample size of 5,550 tested in the last 24 hours. The cumulative tests conducted so far are 1,306,601.

Mar 2, 2021 - 20:06 Updated: Mar 2, 2021 - 20:07

COVID-19 Cases Rise Ahead of Vaccine Arrival

A man getting tested for COVID-19 in Kenya. /FILE

Kenya's COVID-19 caseload now stands at 106,470 after 345 more people tested positive for the disease.

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe in a statement on Tuesday, March 2 noted that the new cases were out of a sample size of 5,550 tested in the last 24 hours. The cumulative tests conducted so far are 1,306,601.

From the cases, 294 are Kenyans while 51 are foreigners. 205 are males and 140 are females. The youngest is a two-month-old infant while the oldest is 93.

143 patients were reported to have recovered from the disease: 121 from the Home-Based and Isolation Care and 22 from various health facilities.

Total recoveries now stand at 86,860.

Sadly, 4 patients succumbed to the disease pushing the country’s cumulative fatalities to 1,863.

A total of 378 patients are currently admitted to various health facilities countrywide, while 1,494 patients are on Home Based Isolation and Care.

58 patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 23 of whom are on ventilatory support and 29 on supplemental oxygen. 6 patients are on observation.

Another 14 patients are separately on supplementary oxygen all of whom are in the general wards. No patient is in the High Dependency Unit (HDU).

In terms of county distribution, Nairobi recorded 198 cases, Kiambu 44, Nakuru 20, Mombasa 12, Kisumu 10, Kajiado 9, Machakos 8, Nyandarua 7, Nyeri 5, Laikipia 5, Murang’a 4, Busia 3, Garissa 3, Uasin Gishu 3, Embu 2, Kilifi 2, Meru 2, Narok 2, Siaya 2, Bungoma 1, Kisii 1, Makueni 1 and Nandi 1.

In terms of sub county distribution, the 198 cases in Nairobi are from Dagoretti North and Westlands (23) cases each, Lang’ata (19), Embakasi Central (15), Embakasi West and Kibra (14) cases each, Kamukunji (12), Kasarani (11), Ruaraka (10), Embakasi East, Embakasi South, Makadara and Mathare (9) cases each, Dagoretti South (7), Embakasi North (6), Starehe (5) and Roysambu (3).

The new cases come as the country gears up for the arrival of the first batch of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the country on Wednesday, March 3. It will be given to 500,000 people on a first-come, first-serve basis with the priority being health workers.

"It will be a voluntary process. So anyone who is ready to take the vaccine should just go to the health facility. We will encourage pre-registration," announced Health PS Susan Mochache on Monday, March 1.