667 more Covid-19 cases in Kenya now 16268 – Health CAS Dr Mercy Mwangangi
On our Covid-19 situation, today 667 have tested positive for Out of 5,075 samples tested in the last 24 hours, 667 have tested bringing to 16,268 the number of positive cases. Our cumulative tests are now 266,102.
From the cases 657 are Kenyans while 10 are foreigners, with 393 males and 274 females. The youngest case is a one month old infant, while the oldest is 92.
The distribution of the cases by counties is as follows; Nairobi 387, Kiambu 40, Mombasa, 26, Machakos 47, Kajiado 79, Nakuru 15, Uasin Gishu 14, Garissa 11, Busia 9, Kilifi 6, Turkana 6, Makueni 5, Wajir 5, Kisumu 4, Nyeri 4, Lamu 2, Muranga 2, Bomet, Bungoma , Narok, Nyamira and Vihiga have 1 case each.
Health CAS Dr. Mercy Mwangangi
The cases are distributed in sub counties as follows; in Nairobi the 387 cases are in Dagoretti North (36), Kibra (32), Westlands (32), Embakasi East (30), Makadara (29), Langata (24),Embakasi West (22), Kamukunji, Roysambu and Starehe have (20) cases each, Dagoretti South (19), Kasarani (18), Mathare (15), Embakasi North (14), Embakasi Central and Ruaraka (13) cases each. In Kajiado the 79 cases are in; Kajiado East (65), Kajiado North (13) and Kajiado Central (1). In Machakos the 47 cases are in Athi River (41) and Machakos Town (6). In Kiambu the 40 cases are in; Kikuyu (13), Kiambu (6), Gatundu South, Kiambaa, Lari and Ruiru have (4) cases each, Kabete (3), Juja and Limuru (1) case each. In Mombasa the 26 cases are in; Mvita (13), Jomvu (9), Changamwe (2), Likoni and Nyali (1) case each while in Nakuru the 15 cases are in Naivasha and Nakuru West (7) cases each and Nakuru East (1). In Uasin Gishu the 14 cases are in Ainabkoi (7), Turbo (3), Kapseret (2), Kesses and Moiben (1) case each. In Garissa the 11 cases are in Fafi (6) and Garissa Town (5), while in Busia the 9 cases are in Matayos and Teso North (4) cases each and Teso South (1). In Kilifi the 6 cases are in Malindi (4), Kaloleni and Kilifi South (1) case each. In Turkana the 6 cases are in Turkana West (5) and Turkana South (1) while in Makueni all the (5) cases are in Kibwezi West. The 5 cases in Wajir are in Wajir East. In Kisumu all the 4 cases are in Kisumu Central, while in Nyeri the 4 cases are in Mathira East (2) and Mukurweini (2). In Lamu the 2cases are in Lamu West while in Murang’a the 2 cases are in Maragua. In Bomet, the case is in Bomet Central, the case in Bungoma is at Kanduyi, the case in Narok is in Narok South, the case in Nyamira is in Nyamira Town, while the case in Vihiga is in Vihiga Town.
Health CAS Dr. Mercy Mwangangi
On a positive note 311 patients have recovered from the disease. Out of this 166 are from the home based care program while 145 are from various hospitals, bringing the total number of recoveries to 7,446. I want to thank our healthcare workers for this achievement.
Unfortunately, we have lost 11 patients from the disease, bringing our fatality to 274. My sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their loved ones.
Finally, I want to reiterate that our health facilities countrywide are operational for treatment of all other diseases and not just COVID-19. I am appealing to our people not shy away from utilising our HIV testing services which we have seen has had a major decline since the pandemic struck in our country. Our healthcare workers are ready and willing to attend to all ailments and not just Coronavirus. Please make use of our health facilities. Health CAS Dr. Mercy Mwangangi
Health Chief Administrative (CAS) Dr. Mercy Mwangangi has said that Covid-19 poses a challenge to the uptake of HIV testing services due to low outpatient hospital visits during this period.
Dr. Mwangangi added that majority of our
people are no longer visiting health facilities for HIV testing services as evidenced in decline of those seeking services over the months between January 2020 and June 2020.
“We are witnessing that majority of the deaths in patients have underlying issues such as diabetes, hypertension, HIV/AIDS among others and we are appealing to people not to shy away from visiting health care facilities, the medics are attending to all ailments and not just Coronavirus.” Said Dr, Mwangangi
She also noted that, the lowest uptake was between March and April, 2020 where testing volumes reduced by 33%. Pre-COVID, month-to-month testing volumes varied by about 15%. On the other hand, community testing decreased by 71% while facility testing decreased by 28%.
The CAS further observed that, Antenatal care attendance and testing has not been impacted. However, from January this year, there has been a notable decrease in the identification of mothers with HIV, with the highest decrease experienced in April-2020.
“We had an upward trend in the number of clients newly enrolled on anti-retroviral treatment between Jan 2018 and July 2019. Subsequently, and especially in the period leading up to June 2020, we saw a decline in this enrolment” she said.
Dr. Mwangangi spoke today while giving an updated on COVID-19 status in the Country and added that, from available data, the 90 90 90 targets indicate that 83% of the HIV positive clients have been identified, 87% of whom were enrolled in care and 93% of those enrolled, achieved viral load suppression.
“Amongst children data indicates that 63% of the HIV positive clients have been identified, 72% of whom were enrolled in care and 83% of those enrolled, achieved viral load suppression.” She explained.
She said that, in terms of age and sex distribution, COVID -19 pandemic did not have any impact on the prevalence of HIV in the proportion of males and females across the various age groups between March 2020 and June 2020.
“Even with emergence of the COVID-19, laboratory testing of HIV has not ceased, and it is being conducted with initial Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests, and results relayed to the requesting facilities.” Said the CAS
She however said that, Initial PCR testing was mainly affected in the month of March and May and this was also attributable to the unavailability of testing commodities. However, there was a notable increase in the month of June where 5,446 tests were conducted compared to May where only 4,251 tests were done.
Currently, in Kenya over 1.1 million people are benefitting from anti-retroviral treatment – a remarkable achievement and a testimony to the strength and resilience of our HIV program.
Today over 96% of people who know their HIV-positive status are on life saving treatment. More than 90% of those on treatment have controlled the HIV virus and therefore posing very low risk of HIV transmission.
This is further evidenced by the decrease of new HIV infections to less than 36,000 in 2018, a stark reduction from 106,000 in 2012. With these notable outcomes, Kenya is well on its way to achieving epidemic control.