Kenya has recorded 246 more COVID-19 positive cases in the last 24 hours bringing the total number of cases in Kenya to 32,803.
Speaking at a press briefing at Afya House on Tuesday, Health CAS Rashid Aman noted that that 4,179 samples had been tested over the same period bringing total samples tested so far to 429,513
Of the 246 cases tested, 170 are male and 76 are female while the youngest case is a 2-year-old infant and the oldest is aged 77 years
At the same time, 160 patients have been discharged from hospital bringing the total recoveries to 19,055. Of the discharges, 120 were from the home-based care system.
Regrettably, five patients succumbed to the disease bring the total death toll to 559.
Nairobi led with 75 cases followed by Kiambu 28, Kisumu 18, Machakos 16, Garissa 13, Lamu 10, Migori 9, Turkana, 9, Uasin Gishu 8, Mombasa 7, Taita Taveta 7, Nyeri 6, Kilify 5 and Murang’a 4.
Laikipia and Kitui recorded four each while Kajiado and Kwale recorded three cases each. Makueni, Embu, Nakuru, Nandi and Baringo recorded two each.
Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Nyamira, Tana River, Isiolo and Tharaka Nithi recorded one case each.
The CAS disclosed that people suffering from Malaria were shying away from hospitals due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
He explained that malaria patients preferred to self-medicate while others feared to be tested for the virus.
“Symptoms of Covid-19 and malaria are similar- fever, weak joints, lack of appetite. Majority have been getting these symptoms but they might be suffering from malaria.
“Since Covid-19 struck, the number of people receiving malaria treatment has dropped,” he stated.
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He explained that the country recorded at least 300,000 cases of Malaria every week in hospitals but since the pandemic hit, only 100,000 patients turned up for treatment.
“We are appealing to our fellow Kenyans that whenever one develops malaria symptoms should present themselves to health centers.
“Severe Malaria is caused delayed treatment among other causes… In 2019, the country recorded 250,000 cases of severe Malaria with 75% of them being children,”Aman added.
