The government has raised a red flag over the rising cases of Covid-19 with a caution to the public that it is likely to get dreadful during this cold season. The infection positivity rate is rising, going by government records.
A widespread swell in flu cases, in particular among residents of Nairobi county, has been cited. The government has called on all those with symptoms of common cold and respiratory tract infections to stay and work from home, to stave off the spread of the new Covid-19 wave.
Covid-19 is highly transmissible, with variants that are mutative and asymptomatic in nature. For instance, the Omicron BA.2 variant is highly transmissible, compared to the Delta variant which is 60 per cent more transmissible than the Alpha variant; first identified in the UK.
The alpha variant is about 50 per cent more transmissible than the ancestral Wuhan strain. Omicron BA.2 presents more dangers than the Delta variant. Several countries have already taken stringent measures to curb the spread of the deadly virus by enforcing inter and extra travel bans, partial and full lockdowns, full adherence to containment measures as well as mandatory vaccination.
As a nation and law-abiding citizens, we must remain eagle-eyed to avoid sliding back into the insufferable situations and crises both at household and national levels begot by the pandemic. Sole responsibility either at entertainment joints, funerals, weddings and public gatherings will shield one from getting infected.
Let it be an obligation and self call in observing the containment measures by masking, dressing warmly to avoid triggers, avoid crowded places and gatherings, exercise regularly, keep hydrated, maintain hand and body hygiene, eat a balanced diet as well as seek prompt medical attention if one exhibits Covid-related symptoms.
Of concern too, is the drastic drop in the rate of vaccination, from 300,000 per day in March 2022 to 12,000 in May. Ignorance should not push us back to agony, many Kenyans remain unvaccinated while there is still a large stock of unused vaccines.
The Ministry of Health has launched an accelerated vaccination campaign to reach as many Kenyans as possible to stop the Covid-19 cases from escalating. Let us heed the government’s call and go for regular tests, full dose and booster dose vaccination.
It is only a complete dose of the Covid-19 vaccine that protects one against getting infected. Vaccinated people are less likely to get infected than unvaccinated individuals, and they are also less likely to pass it on.
The treatment of Covid-19 evidently remains costly and almost unaffordable to a majority of Kenyans now battling with socioeconomic constraints. Laxity in Covid-19 vaccine uptake by a majority of students in secondary and tertiary institutions is of concern, especially with parents declining to give consent to school and college administrations to facilitate the process.
The country is in a campaign mood, with the competing factions pulling huge masses in their rallies. A majority of those attending these political gatherings remain unvaccinated. The political class should be wary of this trend and be in the vanguard of leading Covid-19 vaccination awareness and adherence to the containment measures during political gatherings.
Founder, Integrated Development Network
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