As soon as more swabs are taken, the percentage of positives in relation to the tests inevitably rises, and so does the number of cases. If we add to these figures the presence of some infected with the 501-V2 variant of the virus (the so-called 'South African variant') we can unfortunately still see that Covid-19 has not left Kenya and is still capable of affecting the most vulnerable.
Despite the fact that the Kenya Medical Research Institute has carried out studies establishing that one in three Kenyans has already contracted the virus, mostly asymptomatically, and that by the end of 2021 a good proportion of 'herd immunity' could be achieved, the government has no intention of lowering its guard, despite the fact that too many citizens have already done so.
In the meantime, over the past few months, the awareness has grown among owners and managers of businesses, especially those linked to hospitality and tourism, that with the African summer and the open spaces, Covid-19 is less dangerous and they can resume a semblance of normal life.
However, the cases are increasing day by day, according to the numbers transmitted by the Ministry of Health, and the beds in intensive care and isolation wards with ventilator assistance in the country are not emptying.
In the last 24 hours, Thursday 17 February, 283 out of 4,822 people in Kenya tested positive, a rate of 5.8. This brings the total number of positive cases in Kenya to 103,615, of which 85,457 have recovered (66 more since yesterday).
Six new deaths have been recorded, bringing the number of Covid-19 victims in the country to 1 807.
There are currently 42 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 21 of whom are on ventilation and 18 on supplementary oxygen. 3 patients are under observation. Another 6 patients are separately on supplementary oxygen with 5 of them in the general wards and 1 in the high dependency unit.
Also yesterday, most cases were recorded in Nairobi (196), while on the coast 18 cases were reported, including 11 in Mombasa, 4 in Kilifi and 3 in Kwale.