Kenya's COVID-9 infections reach 172,491 as deaths hit 3,287

FILE PHOTO: A local isolation ward for patients with COVID-19 in Machakos, Kenya. /VCG

The number of COVID-19 infections in Kenya rose to 172,491 on Sunday as the country's ministry of health reported 166 new cases from a sample size of 3,561 tests conducted over the past 24 hours.

The ministry also reported 23 new deaths registered in the same period, bringing the East African country's virus-related death toll to 3,287.

Kenya remains on high alert over a possible fourth wave that would mainly be pushed by the Delta coronavirus variant, first detected in India.

Both the country's caseload and the death toll are the seventh-highest in Africa.

In efforts to contain the pandemic, the Kenyan government has imposed various measures, including a ban on large public gatherings, a nationwide nighttime curfew and the mandatory wearing of face coverings.

A mass vaccination exercise is also underway, with priority given to high-risk groups including healthcare workers, the elderly and persons with underlying health conditions.