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276 COVID-19 cases reported from 2,126 screened samples, positivity rate averages 13pc

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 19:50:02 +0000

276 COVID-19 cases reported from 2,126 screened samples, positivity rate averages 13pc admin Mon, 10/26/2020 - 19:50

Monday, October 26, 2020

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276 COVID-19 cases reported from 2,126 screened samples, positivity rate averag…

NAIROBI, Kenya October 26 – The health ministry announced 276 more coronavirus cases on Monday picked from 2,162 samples analyzed over a period of 24 hours.

This represents a 12.98 per cent positivity rate with the five-day mean standing at 13.1 per cent, a figure that is almost triple the five per cent threshold stipulated by the World Health Organisation.

The new figure brings to 49,997 the total reported cases out of the 662,046 cumulative tests conducted since March.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, through a statement sent to newsrooms also announced that eighteen patients had succumbed to coronavirus raising the national death tally to 920.

Kagwe said that there are ninety-two patients who are on emergency care including twenty patients under Intensive Care Unit (ICU), fifty-two on supplementary oxygen and twenty on High Dependency Unit.

The Ministry of Health noted that 220 more patients were cleared including 150 who were under Home-Based Care Program and seventy who were discharged from various hospitals.

The the total number of patients who have been cleared after recovering from the virus since April 1 rose to 34, 429.

Another 1,191 patients were said to be hospital-based care while 1, 406 were being monitored under the home-based care protocol.

The new cases reported include a two-year old baby and are distributed among 179 males and 97 females.

Mombasa, Machakos and Nairobi accounted for the highest cases with 71, 58 and 50 cases respectively while Kilifi and Busia followed with 21 cases each.

Other cases were distributed in Kwale (19), Kajiado(13), Garissa (6), Nakuru (5), Narok(4), Makueni(3), Kiambu(3), Taita Taveta(1) and Tharaka Nithi (1).

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UN chief in self-isolation after contact with COVID-positive person

admin — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 07:50:01 +0000

UN chief in self-isolation after contact with COVID-positive person

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admin Sat, 12/11/2021 - 07:50

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

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UN chief in self-isolation after contact with COVID-positive person

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been in self-isolation after coming in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, said Farhan Haq, his deputy spokesman.

“He has shown no symptoms and has initially tested negative. Out of an abundance of caution, he has canceled all his engagements and he will work from home until he is tested on Thursday, Dec. 9,” Haq wrote in a note to the UN press corps on Tuesday. The secretary-general was originally scheduled to participate in a high-level event for the UN Central Emergency Response Fund on Wednesday and was expected to speak at Thursday’s open debate of the Security Council on security in the context of terrorism and climate change. His scheduled attendance as a guest of honor at an annual gala of the UN Correspondents Association in downtown Manhattan on Wednesday night is also affected. Guterres, 72, was among the first New York residents to get vaccinated with his first shot in late January 2021 and a second one later on. He received a booster on Nov. 26.

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WHO recommends Malaria vaccine for children in high risk areas

admin — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 10:30:01 +0000

WHO recommends Malaria vaccine for children in high risk areas

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admin Sat, 10/09/2021 - 10:30

Thursday, October 7, 2021

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WHO recommends Malaria vaccine for children in high risk areas

NAIROBI, Kenya Oct 7 – The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday endorsed the widespread use of the RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S) malaria vaccine among children in Sub-Saharan Africa and in other regions with moderate to high malaria transmission.

The recommendation is based on results from an ongoing pilot programme in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi that has reached more than 800,000 children since 2019.

Key findings of the pilots informed the recommendation based on data and insights generated from two years of vaccination in child health clinics in the three pilot countries, implemented under the leadership of the Ministries of Health of Ghana, Kenya and Malawi.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday said it was a historic moment which could save tens of thousands of young lives each year.

“The long-awaited malaria vaccine for children is a breakthrough for science, child health and malaria control. Using this vaccine on top of existing tools to prevent malaria could save tens of thousands of young lives each year,” said WHO Director-General.

Malaria remains a primary cause of childhood illness and death in sub-Saharan Africa where more than 260,000 African children under the age of five die from malaria annually.

Based on the advice of two WHO global advisory bodies, the RTS,S/AS01 Malaria Vaccine should be provided in a schedule of four doses in children from five months of age for the reduction of malaria disease and burden.

On his part, WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti, noted that in recent years, the Organisation and its partners have been reporting a stagnation in progress against the deadly disease.

“We have long hoped for an effective malaria vaccine and now for the first time ever, we have such a vaccine recommended for widespread use. Today’s recommendation offers a glimmer of hope for the continent which shoulders the heaviest burden of the disease and we expect many more African children to be protected from malaria and grow into healthy adults,” Moeti said.

Next steps for the WHO-recommended Malaria Vaccine will include funding decisions from the global health community for broader roll-out, and country decision-making on whether to adopt the vaccine as part of national Malaria control strategies.

“Financing for the pilot programme has been mobilized through an unprecedented collaboration among three key global health funding bodies: Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; and Unitaid,” read a statement from WHO.

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Kenya welcomes WHO’s approval of malaria vaccine for children

admin — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 10:00:01 +0000

Kenya welcomes WHO’s approval of malaria vaccine for children

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Thursday, October 7, 2021

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Kenya welcomes WHO’s approval of malaria vaccine for children

NAIROBI, Kenya Oct 7 –Kenya has welcomed the approval of the Malaria vaccine by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Ministry of Health said the approval of the use of RTS/AS01 malaria vaccine among children in Sub-Saharan Africa and other regions is a big step in combating the disease.

On Wednesday, the WHO said the recommendation was based on results from an ongoing pilot programme in Ghana, Kenya’s Kisumu region and Malawi that has reached more than 800,000 children since 2019.

A statement from the Ministry of health on Thursday said that the vaccine has proven to be safe and effective, resulting in significant reduction of life-threatening severe malaria.

The health ministry said that a total of 533 health facilities are currently administering the vaccine across the country.

“The Malaria Vaccine was formally launched in Kenya on September 13, 2019, in Ndhiwa Sub-County, Homa bay County. In Kenya, there are an estimated 3.5 million malaria cases and 10,700 deaths each year, with those living in western Kenya being more exposed,” the Ministry of Health said.

It further stated that the vaccine has also resulted in reduction of severe anaemia.

The Ministry further said that children under five are at most risk of hospital admissions and mortality due to malaria.

“Having participated in the WHO phased introduction project, Kenya has gained experience in its deployment in the immunization program with the vaccine fitting well in the routine immunization program,” said the statement.

It added that its phased introduction targeted eight counties comprising of 26 sub counties in the malaria endemic areas.

The high-risk areas are Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Siaya, Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga and Bungoma, according to the health ministry.

It stated that the demand for the vaccine in the country has remained high amid an influx of individuals from non-vaccinating counties with coverage of the first dose recording over 70 per cent.

Kenya thanked the WHO for its support adding that the vaccination program is a step in the right direction in fighting malaria.

“The roll out of the vaccine across the region, and especially in Kenya, marks yet another milestone towards realizing a malaria-free world. The ministry of health takes the chance to thank WHO for having faith in Kenya and pledge to participate in similar initiatives aimed at saving lives,” they said.

The Health Ministry said it was mulling the expansion of Malaria vaccination to other areas, taking note of morbidity data in the country and the regulatory provisions.

On Wednesday, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on said the approval was a historic moment which could save tens of thousands of young lives each year.

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Kenya COVID cases top 106,125 ahead of vaccines arrival

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 18:20:01 +0000

Kenya COVID cases top 106,125 ahead of vaccines arrival

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admin Mon, 03/01/2021 - 18:20

Monday, March 1, 2021

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Kenya COVID cases top 106,125 ahead of vaccines arrival

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 1- Kenya recorded 152 new COVID-19 infections Monday, raising cases in the country to 106,125 ahead of vaccines arrival.

The country was expected to receive the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines on Tuesday to start vaccinating healthcare workers and others on the frontline like security forces.

“We expect vaccines on Tuesday,” said Mutahi Kagwe, Health Cabinet Secretary who urged the public to remain vigilant and observe protocols issued by the ministry.

“It doesn’t mean that we should now lower the guard because the vaccine is coming,” he warned, “the world does not have enough vaccine for every one.

Kenya hs so far conducted 1,301, 051 tests since March last year when the first case was reported in the country.

The virus has killed 1,859 people so far.

The much-awaited COVID-19 vaccine will be administered free of charge in all public health facilities, with arrivals expected on Tuesday.

About 16 million people will be vaccinated by end of the year to suppress the virus with vaccines from Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Johnson and Johnson.

Of the 16 million, more than 1 million health care workers and essential providers will be among the first people to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

In phase two of the vaccination, which is set to kick off in July and end in June 2022, 9.7 million Kenyans will be vaccinated.

The Cabinet has since ratified a COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan with the first batch of the vaccines expected into the country within the first week of March.

The Cabinet, during its first sitting this year, resolved that the first group to be vaccinated will include health care workers and frontline workers among them security personnel and teachers, vulnerable persons and those in working in the hospitality industry.

Also, as part of the country’s response to the disease, the Cabinet sanctioned heightened surveillance at all of Kenya’s international borders, so as to stem the propagation of the disease into the country.

“The Cabinet noted that the first batch of COVID vaccine will arrive in Kenya the first week of March 2021. In that regard, the Cabinet ratified the distribution framework for the vaccines with first priority given to health care workers, front line workers including those in security and teachers, vulnerable persons and groups and the hospitality sector,” a statement from the Cabinet Office read.

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Tobacco control alliance objects lifting of ban on nicotine pouches

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 12:10:01 +0000

Tobacco control alliance objects lifting of ban on nicotine pouches

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admin Mon, 03/01/2021 - 12:10

Monday, March 1, 2021

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Tobacco control alliance objects lifting of ban on nicotine pouches

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 1 – Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance (KETCA) has petitioned the Ministry of Health to uphold the ban on nicotine pouches including Lyft which is considered highly addictive.

Health Cabinet Secretary had on October 2020 declared the registration of the Lyft nicotine pouches in Kenya illegal directing the Pharmacy and Poisons Board to deregister them but later allowed sale of the products on condition that they are registered as tobacco products.

Talks to review the ban with the aim of rescinding it are ongoing.

The alliance’s country coordinator Thomas Lindi, in a statement issued on Saturday, demanded an investigation on why the ministry revoked the ban contrary to its initial findings that the product did not meet the descriptions of a pharmaceutical drug.

“In 2019 the pouches were illegally registered as medicines and we were happy when the CS decided to ban the sale of products, however, we are shocked that the ministry has allowed the tobacco industry to sale these harmful products in Kenya,” he said.

Mindi noted that by revoking the ban, government will be creating a leeway for entry of other harmful drugs into the country.

“If the government allows these products, it will also be opening a flood gate of other harmful products to flood the Kenyan market, claims by the tobacco industry that the pouches are ham reducing agents is extremely misleading and creates a false perception of safety,” a statement issued by KETCA noted.

Citing a National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) report which noted that children as young as 5 years old were getting addicted to drugs, the alliance noted that such products are highly addictive and harmful to health.

“The industry’s reckless pursuit for more profits has no respect for human life, they continue preying on young people by introducing and promoting flavoured pouches that will turn the youths into zombies,” the statement read in part.

Lyft is a nicotine pouch marketed by British American Tobacco (BAT-Kenya) as an alternative to cigarettes for addicted smokers. BAT says the product does not contain Tobacco whilst the nicotine contained is industry leading in respect of both purity and grade.

The nicotine pouch has fast gained popularity among young people since being introduced in the market late in 2019.

Many users say it gives a feeling of being high in a very short span.

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Police ordered to arrest adults responsible for 10,000 teen pregnancies in Trans Nzoia

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 12:10:01 +0000

Police ordered to arrest adults responsible for 10,000 teen pregnancies in Trans Nzoia

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admin Mon, 03/01/2021 - 12:10

Monday, March 1, 2021

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Police ordered to arrest adults responsible for 10,000 teen pregnancies in Tran…

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 1 – Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi on Monday ordered the immediate arrest of adults responsible for teenage pregnancies in Trans Nzoia County.

Over 10,000 teenage girls are reported to have been impregnated, which is the highest number in the country to have been recorded in single county.

The CS further banned overnight traditional funeral ceremonies commonly known as ‘disco matanga,’ which provide a fertile ground for adults to prey on teenage girls, with immediate effect.

He spoke during a security and development project tour in Transzoia.

In January, County Commissioners were directed to develop a database for learners who fail to return to school either because of pregnancy or other factors.

The directive was issued by CS Matiangi during a tour of Tharaka Nithi County where majority of girls had not gone back to school due to pregnancies.

“We will look for everyone in partnership with our chiefs and I am happy that the County Commissioner here has mapped out about where students are and we will go bring them back to school. That is how the government will work,” Matiangi said at the time.

The sustained efforts to tame teen pregnancies followed a report in June 2020, initially dismissed by Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha as ‘obnoxious’, which reported 152,820 teen pregnancies in under three months.

The reported attributed the situation to the closure of schools in March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, with most school children returning home for a prolonged period of time where they were unattended.

Speaking while touring schools in Nakuru County after schools reopened on January 4, CS Magoha said the ministry was aware of cases of teen pregnancies but dismissed the figures as a ploy by selfish individuals who had a hidden agenda.

“I would like to interrogate the rate of the pregnancies because they look obnoxious. I am asking myself as a professor, did these girls go and report that they are pregnant? Who is giving us these figures because they seem to be definitive? Could some NGOs who are keen on pushing sex education be using these exaggerated numbers,” said the Education CS.

Prof Magoha called for tougher action against individuals who sexually assault girls even as he urged parents to pay more attention in morally guiding their children.

A Demographic Health Survey in 2019 indicated that 400,000 teenagers get pregnant every year.

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S.Africa to ease virus restrictions after ‘dramatic decline’

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 12:10:01 +0000

S.Africa to ease virus restrictions after ‘dramatic decline’

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admin Mon, 03/01/2021 - 12:10

Monday, March 1, 2021

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S.Africa to ease virus restrictions after ‘dramatic decline’

Johannesburg, South Africa, March 1 – South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday said the country will start relaxing coronavirus restrictions, moving from alert level three down to level one, after a “dramatic decline” in infections.

The easing of the measures, due to begin at midnight, will see most economic activity resume as the country moves to rebuild its virus-shattered economy.

In a televised address to the nation, Ramaphosa said the country had made big strides in the past eight weeks, recording a steady drop in infections and hospital admissions.

“Due to the decline in infections, the country can now ease some of the restrictions on movement and economic activity,” Ramaphosa announced.

“We do so cautiously,” he added.

Ramaphosa said the country had recorded just under 10,000 new infections over the past week, down from more than 40,000 in the last week of January and some 90,000 in the same week in December.

He attributed the “dramatic decline” to the public health measures, changes in behaviour, and accumulating immunity in those that had become infected.

Under level one restrictions, the country’s curfew will now only run from midnight to 4am.

The head of state spoke a day after the country received the second batch of Johnson & Johnson vaccines arrived in the country.

So far, more than 63,600 healthcare workers have been vaccinated since the country began inoculations nearly a fortnight ago.

The elderly, teachers, miners, police officers, soldiers, civil servants and people older than 18 with co-morbidities will be vaccinated in the next phase of the three-phase rollout campaign from the end of April.

The government, which has been accused of being slow to acquire Covid vaccines, has secured an agreement to procure 11 million one-shot doses from Johnson & Johnson, 2.8 million of which are expected in the second quarter.

Twenty million Pfizer jabs have also been secured, while an additional 12 million doses expected via the COVAX facility, according to Ramaphosa.

Having recorded more than 1.5 million infections of which nearly 50,000 have been fatal, South Africa still has the highest number of cases and deaths on the continent.

It aims to inoculate around 40 million people — 67 percent of the population — by the end of 2021.

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COVID-19 vaccine expected in Kenya Tuesday

admin — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 17:40:01 +0000

COVID-19 vaccine expected in Kenya Tuesday

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admin Sun, 02/28/2021 - 17:40

Sunday, February 28, 2021

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COVID-19 vaccine expected in Kenya Tuesday

[Additional reporting by Njoki Kihiu in Nairobi].

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 28 – Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said on Sunday that the much-awaited COVID-19 vaccine will arrive in the country on Tuesday even as 325 new infections were recorded.

The new cases were detected from a sample size of 3,282 raising the total caseload in the country to 105, 973.

“We are hoping Tuesday or Wednesday morning that the first batch of the vaccine will arrive in the country and after that, the rest will follow. We are expecting 10. 9 million doses as of next week,” Kagwe told journalists in Nyeri.

He said healthcare workers who are on the frontline in the fight against the virus will be the first ones to be vaccinated.

Kagwe further said 2 COVID-19 patients had succumbed to the virus, pushing fatalities to 1,856.

However, 69 patients were discharged after recovering from the virus bringing the total recoveries to 86,678.

The Cabinet on Thursday ratified a COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan.

The Cabinet during its first sitting this year resolved that the first group to be vaccinated will include health care workers and frontline workers among them security personnel and teachers, vulnerable persons and those in working in the hospitality industry.

“The Cabinet noted that the first batch of COVID vaccine will arrive in Kenya the first week of March 2021.In that regard, the Cabinet ratified the distribution framework for the vaccines with first priority given to health care workers, front line workers including those in security and teachers, vulnerable persons and groups and the hospitality sector,” a statement from the Cabinet Office stated.

The Government has assured that the vaccine will be administered free of charge in all public health facilities.

Health Chief Administrative Secretary Dr. Mercy Mwangangi said recently that the Ministry will also come up with a mechanism of regulating the vaccine cost in private health facilities.

“the vaccine will be free in public facilities, there are discussions to ensure there will be a mechanism of regulating cost at the private sector,” said Mwangangi Friday, during a virtual session with medics ahead of the vaccine roll out once it arrives later February.

Mwangangi said the vaccine will be administered voluntarily, with plans to intensify public sensitization.

“As an individual, I will be on the front-line to receive the vaccine, there will be no victimization and the vaccine will be given to those willing,” she said.

The government said about 16 million people will be vaccinated by the end of the year to suppress the virus with vaccines from Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Johnson and Johnson.

In phase two of the vaccination, which is set to kick off in July and end in June 2022, 9.7 million Kenyans will be vaccinated.

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COVID positivity rate at 3.2pc, single fatality reported since Friday

admin — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 17:00:01 +0000

COVID positivity rate at 3.2pc, single fatality reported since Friday

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admin Sat, 02/27/2021 - 17:00

Saturday, February 27, 2021

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COVID positivity rate at 3.2pc, single fatality reported since Friday

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 27 – Kenya recorded 181 COVID-19 cases on Saturday marking a 3.2 per cent positivity rate compared to 5 per cent reported on Friday and 6 per cent on Thursday.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the new cases were identified from 5, 577 samples which were tested from Friday.

Kenya has so far conducted 1, 295, 556 tests since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020.

Nairobi County produced the majority of the new infections after posting 104 cases followed by Kiambu which had 20 cases.

CS Kagwe added that 88 patients have been cleared of the virus bringing the total number of recoveries to 86, 609 cases.

One patient has succumbed to the virus raising he country’s fatalities to 1, 854.

The much-awaited COVID-19 vaccine will be administered free of charge in all public health facilities, with arrivals expected from next week.

About 16 million people will be vaccinated by end of the year to suppress the virus with vaccines from Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Johnson and Johnson.

Of the 16 million, more than 1 million health care workers and essential providers will be among the first people to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

In phase two of the vaccination, which is set to kick off in July and end in June 2022, 9.7 million Kenyans will be vaccinated.

On Thursday, the Cabinet ratified a COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan with the first batch of the vaccines expected into the country within the first week of March.

“The Cabinet noted that the first batch of COVID vaccine will arrive in Kenya the first week of March 2021.In that regard, the Cabinet ratified the distribution framework for the vaccines with first priority given to health care workers, front line workers including those in security and teachers, vulnerable persons and groups and the hospitality sector,” a statement from the Cabinet Office read.

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