On the day the number of infected people in Kenya continues to rise (473 new cases, another negative record beating the one recorded the day before) the first doctor who passed away after working closely with isolated people and being hospitalized with the symptoms of Covid-19 is mourned.
With the latest cases, announced by Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe during the usual press conference held during his visit to Kilifi County, the number of positive cases in the country has risen to 9448.
In the 24 hours leading up to Friday, July 10, Ministry staff released data from the 6979 swabs examined. 349 men and 149 women tested positive for Coronavirus. The youngest is a one-year-old boy and the oldest is 90.  
Kagwe also revealed that 76 patients were discharged from the health care facilities where they were hospitalized, bringing the total number of cures to 2733.
Eight deaths were recorded, bringing the number of victims of the virus to 181.
Among them is also the first doctor in Kenya who succumbed to Covid-19.
"It is a sad day for all of us, today we mourn Dr. Doreen Adisa Lugaliki, who has paid with his life his dedication - said Kagwe - working like so many health workers to serve and protect the Kenyans. We must praise all health workers who put their safety at risk to treat the infected. On behalf of the nation and the government, I send condolences to the family of the fallen doctor.
The count of cases discovered so far says that more than half, exactly 5188, have been registered in the capital Nairobi.
During the meeting in Kilifi, in the presence of local Governor Amason Kingi, WHO Representative for Kenya Patrick Amoth said that of the cases still active 44 are in intensive care and half of them are treated with ventilators and others with other oxygen therapies.
"Currently the mortality rate from Covid-19 in Kenya is very low - Amoth explained - we are at 1.9 percent compared to the global average of 6.7 percent".
Taking the compliments of the Minister of Health, Governor Kingi admitted that his staff acted quickly after Kilifi County was one of the first to record positive cases.
"Today we cannot say we are adequately prepared," Kingi admitted, "but we have improved and worked hard to ensure the protection of our residents. We have currently established seven isolation and intensive care centres. We have also equipped our health workers with dedicated wards. However, residents should also support and protect us to ensure that our efforts are not wasted. President Kenyatta's decision to reopen the country was important but very courageous because we expect the virus to spread more widely. Together with resuming work, we must respect all health measures to curb the disease.
Minister Kagwe confirmed that if the number of cases increases in the coming days, he could ask the President to review some of his decisions.