This archive report was first published on 8 July 2020.
Kenya's COVID-19 cases have been on the rise, with the country recording 278 new infections as of Wednesday. This brings the total number of cases to 8,528.
According to Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, 3,053 samples were tested within the last 24 hours, taking the total number of tests conducted since the pandemic struck the country to 196,508.
CS Kagwe also announced that 89 patients have been discharged from various health facilities within the same period, bringing the number of recoveries to 2,593.
Unfortunately, two others have succumbed to the coronavirus, taking the tally of fatalities in the country to 169.
During his tour of Makueni to assess the county's COVID-19 preparedness, CS Kagwe commended the Governor Kivutha Kibwana-led government for achieving the 300-bed capacity as directed by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
He also expressed his appreciation for the county's efforts to increase its bed capacity to over 800 beds.
CS Kagwe further stated that 257 healthcare workers – 4 of them in Makueni – have tested positive for COVID-19 while in their line of duty in the country.
He reassured the health personnel that the government will step up efforts to protect them, and lauded them for their efforts in combating the spread of the disease thus far.
“For those who have been exposed, I want to assure them that the government is committed to ensuring that all our frontline soldiers are protected at all times by making available the necessary PPEs and other commodities as they manage our patients,” he said.
He also acknowledged the support received from different individuals and organizations, both public and private, in the fight against COVID-19.
