This archive report was first published on 1 July 2020.
Kenya Records Highest Number of COVID-19 Cases ¶
On July 1, 2020, Kenya's COVID-19 cases reached a new high of 6,673 after 307 individuals tested positive in the last 24 hours.
According to Health CAS Rashid Aman, the latest numbers were the highest recorded since the onset of the pandemic. A total of 3,591 samples had been tested in the same period, bringing the cumulative figure of tests done so far to 173,355.
Out of the 307 cases, 215 were male, and 92 were female. The youngest case was a 1-year-old, while the oldest was 81 years of age.
Unfortunately, one more patient succumbed to the virus, bringing the total tally of lost lives to 149. However, on a positive note, the Health also announced that 50 more patients had been discharged over the same period, bringing the latest figure of recovered patients to 2,089.
The distribution of the latest cases across various counties was as follows: Nairobi 154, Mombasa 38, Machakos 33, Kiambu 20, Narok 20, Kajiado 17, Busia 10, Kericho 4, Makueni 5, Nakuru 5, Kilifi 1, Kisumu 1, Kitui 1, and Uasin Gishu 1.
Addressing the talks regarding the opening up of the economy, Health CAS Rashid Aman reiterated the need to exercise caution while trying to ease the burden faced by a majority of Kenyans.
"The majority of Kenyans have been discussing the possibility of govt opening up the economy, this discussion is unavoidable. We have to balance between saving lives and saving livelihoods," he stated.
Health Director-General (DG) Patrick Amoth also gave an update on the number of healthcare workers who had tested positive for COVID-19, stating that 186 of their workers had contracted the virus in Kenya since the first case was reported locally.
Watch a section of the Health CAS's press briefing below:
