NAIROBI, Kenya May 30 – The number of COVID-19 patients who have recovered rose to 464 Saturday, after 26 more were discharged.
Among those discharged is Bishop Margaret Wanjiru who was admitted to the Aga Kgan Hospital in Nairobi.
Health Chief Administrative Secretary Dr Rashid Aman said the patients were discharged from various hospitals across the country.
The death toll rose to 63, after a 50-year-old man succumbed to the virus.
The Ministry of Health said most of the people who have died were suffering from other underlying conditions, including Diabetes.
The Ministry said on Saturday that public health officials had discovered a new symptom exhibited by most COVID-19 patients–Diarrhoea. This is coupled up by high fever, dry cough and tiredness.
Dr Aman said the symptom has been recorded in many other parts of the world.
On Saturday, Bishop Wanjiru said she initially did not have coronavirus symptoms but had diarrhea and food poisoning, only to be confirmed with COVID-19 on testing.
The former Assistant Minister has been at Aga Khan Hospital since last week, and is among the 26 patients declared COVID-19 free on Saturday and now stand discharged from hospital.
The COVID-19 curve remained on a sharp increase in Kenya since last week, even as President Uhuru Kenyatta prepares to make a key announcement on the status of a national curfew and other restrictions.
A national curfew has been in place for the past two months until June 6, along with restrictions on cessation of movement into and out of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi and Mandera Counties.
On Saturday, there were 143 new cases reported, just a day after posting 127 cases on Friday.
On Thursday, 147 new cases were recorded from various counties, with particular focus to Nairobi and Mombasa counties which have been recording high figures.
Cummulatively, Kenya had recorded 1,888 positive cases by May 30, with a warning from the Ministry of Health on more cases as the country draws closer to its peak which was projected to start in June to around September.
Health CAS Aman said Kenya is it a critical period on the pandemic, and urged Kenyans to cooperate in observing social distancing and all other measures imposed to help prevent the spread.
The government has warned Kenyans against dropping the guard, after increased cases of people not using masks in public places were reported.
Dr Aman said the government was concerned at a new habit by leaders who have been holding large meetings, and urged them to respect the measures put in place.
“We must respect these guidelines because that is the only way we will be able to beat the virus,” he said.
Concerns were raised after COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli convened a meeting at his Kajiado residence on Friday, attended by more that 50 leaders, among them four Governors and Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, in what was billed as a Luhya-unity bid.
