This archive report was first published on 21 June 2020.
On June 21, Kenya's health authorities confirmed a record high of 260 new Covid-19 cases from 3,651 samples tested in 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases to 4,738.
According to Health CS Mutahi Kagwe, the youngest person to test positive was a 7-month-old baby, while the eldest was a 90-year-old.
CS Kagwe announced that the total number of samples tested in the country stood at 140,000 during the daily Covid-19 briefing at Afya House.
Of the 260 new cases, 254 were identified as Kenyans, with 176 being male and 84 female. The regional distribution of the new cases was as follows: Nairobi 157, Mombasa 42, Kwale 15, Kiambu 14, Machakos 9, Kajiado 7, Migori 3, Nakuru 3, Busia 3, Homabay 2, Kilifi 1, Kisii 1, Kisumu 1, Kakamega 1, and Laikipia 1.
CS Kagwe also announced that 550 positive patients were discharged under the newly-introduced home-based care system, with 338 from the Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital and 212 from the Coast General Hospital.
Marking 100 days since the first Covid-19 case was recorded in Kenya, CS Kagwe thanked several stakeholders for their role in combating the pandemic and highlighted the role of the media in spreading the word on the various safety measures recommended by the national government.
"I thank the media for highlighting matters relating to Covid-19. We are greatly indebted to you," CS Kagwe stated.
He also noted that the pandemic had adversely affected people's mental health, citing stay home orders and social distancing as having brought about a lot of anxiety.
However, he also pointed out some of the positives, "We have seen change especially in behaviour such as increased hand hygiene," he stated.
