Kenya has recorded 72 more Covid-19 cases, including a Ugandan.

This brings the total number of cases to 1,286 from 2,711 samples tested in the last 24 hours. Covid-19 death-toll hits 52 as one patient succumbs. 61,971 samples have been tested to date. Of these, 70 are Kenyans, 1 Ugandan and 1 Somali national.

Dr Mercy Mwangangi the administrative secretary revealed: “Our number of infections are yet to stabilize. Today, we have 72 individuals testing positive for the virus, from 2,711 samples tested. The cumulative case load of positives is 1,286 and the total number of samples so far tested is 61,971.”

Dr Mwangangi announced: “We are saddened to inform you that we have lost one more patient to the disease, bringing our total fatality rate to 52. We condole with the families and friends who have lost their loved ones to this pandemic.”

She added: “The new cases are distributed in counties as follows: Nairobi (52), Mombasa (11), Kiambu (7), Isiolo (1) and Turkana (1).”

Dr Mwangangi stated: “In Nairobi the cases are recorded as follows: Langata (21), Dagoretti North (15), Kamukunji (4), Kibra (4), Embakasi East (2), Kasarani (3), Dagoretti South (1), Makadara (1) and Mathare (1).”

She said: “Initially, we only had 2 testing laboratories but today we have 20 across the country.”

Dr Mwangangi added: “Ministry of health has developed several nutritional guidelines in response to Covid-19 available on the ministry’s website. The emphasis is for Kenyans to maintain a healthy diet.”

She said: “Today, we have discharged another (9) patients who have recovered from the disease, bringing the total number of those who have recovered to 402.”

Dr Mwangangi urged: “During this time of Covid-19, we want to emphasize the importance of a healthy diet in strengthening our body immune systems, to fight diseases and to speed up recovery.”

She stressed: “Individuals with underlying conditions and those that are malnourished, are at a greater risk of various infections, including viral infections, such as Covid-l9.”

Dr Mwangangi emphasized: “Chronic or severe infections, lead to deterioration of nutrition status in the infected persons, further compromising treatment outcomes. It is very important that we all pay great attention to what we eat, especially during this time if Covid-19 pandemic.”

She called on  Kenyans: “The Ministry of Health has developed several nutrition guidelines in response to Covid-19, all of which are available in the Ministry’s website.”