This archive report was first published on 23 June 2020.
Kenya continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, with 155 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours. The country's total cases now stand at 4,952, with 128 deaths.
According to Health Chief Administrative Secretary Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, 120 of the infected individuals are men. Unfortunately, three people have succumbed to the virus, bringing the total number of COVID-19 deaths to 128.
Nairobi, Mombasa, and Busia have been at the forefront of the surge in positive cases, with the three counties recording 109, 19, and 9 cases respectively.
Responding to concerns over the efficacy of locally manufactured Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), Acting Health Director-General Patrick Amoth defended local manufacturers, stating that 'pitfalls were expected' due to the bulk production of such products. However, he assured that 'everything is being ironed out' to improve the quality of the PPEs.
Dr. Amoth emphasized the need to work with local entrepreneurs and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) to improve the systems and ensure that the PPEs meet international quality standards. 'We need to do is not to condemn our entrepreneurs but work with them together with KEBS so that we improve our systems so that Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) we produce meet international quality standards and that they not only good for Kenya but can be used in the regional and international market,' he said.
Dr. Mwangangi also reassured Kenyans that counties are 'on track' in dealing with the virus. The Ministry of Health confirmed that as of June 22, there were 550 patients under home-based care, while 50 others had been discharged.
Dr. Amoth assured that the numbers of those under home-based care and those who have fully recovered and integrated in the community will be released by the end of the week. He also emphasized that most of the numbers will come from Nairobi and Mombasa, as very few counties have started implementing home-based care due to capacity building needs.
