This archive report was first published on 9 July 2020.
COVID-19 Cases Surge in Kenya ¶
On July 8, 2020, Kenya's COVID-19 count rose to 8,975 after 447 new cases were reported, according to Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.
The new cases were identified from 3,803 samples, marking the highest single-day increase since the disease was first reported in the country on March 13.
Speaking in Mombasa, Kagwe announced that 64 more people had recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 2,657, while 4 patients had lost their lives to the disease, increasing the death toll to 173.
Notably, Mombasa has over 1,663 active cases, and the numbers are likely to rise. Kagwe warned that the county's high infection rate could be a concern, especially with the upcoming lifting of movement restrictions.
Breaking down the new cases, Kagwe revealed that 280 were males, while 167 were females. The youngest patient was a one-year-old, and the eldest was 88 years old.
Highlighting the disparity in COVID-19 cases, Kagwe noted that 138 people out of every 100,000 samples tested positive in Mombasa, while in Nairobi, the rate was 100 cases per 100,000 people.
Emphasizing the importance of protecting infants, Kagwe urged Kenyans to take precautions, saying, "We really need to protect infants since we are still reporting positive cases among them."
He also cautioned against celebrating newborns, saying, "I know we Africans and we would like to come together and celebrate when a newborn comes. However, for now, let us shelve this. You can send the new mother money if you really need to appreciate them."
