By: Dennis Wendo
Worth Noting:
- Despite the return to normalcy in various aspects of socio-economic and political spheres and the lift on the strict covid control measures, we remain vulnerable ; Omicron variant continues to drive the surge, with identified cases now showing both BA.1; the original Omicron and other descendant lineages, including BA.1.1 and BA.2.
- Of concern is “Long-Covid,” which causes problems with mental health and affect people of all ages, genders, races and ethnicity. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines long Covid as health problems that last four or more weeks after a Covid-19 infection. The World Health Organization definition adds that the symptoms should not be able to be explained by an alternative diagnosis.
Kenya is reporting about 16 new infections on average each day, 1% of the peak with the highest daily average having been reported on December 27,2021.There have been 323,515 infections and 5,648 coronavirus-related deaths reported in the country since the pandemic began.
Though the positivity rate and fatalities are on a drastic decline in the country, new waves of Covid-19 spread are on rise; China and parts of Europe the well being nations still grappling with attack.
“Since March, China where the first case was was reported, is battling its biggest Covid wave yet, with Shanghai now the largest hotspot. All 25 million residents are under lockdown, with national health care workers and the Chinese military dispatched to boost the city’s response”
Between March and April 2022, China has recorded close to 20,000 new cases;far past the peak of Wuhan in 2020, at the onset of the pandemic. Though this number is still far lower than in many other countries, it’s a dramatic spike for China, which has adhered to a strict zero-Covid strategy that aims to stamp out all outbreaks and chains of transmission using border controls, mass testing, quarantines and stringent lockdowns.
Kenya is neither in isolation nor immune, cases of persons turning positive and the reopening of Covid-19 units in major hospitals is with us . Complaints of laxity in vaccine uptake by a majority has been cited in various health and medical facilities across the country ;with greater concern on parents with children aged between 13-18 years declining to give consent for the vaccination.
Despite the return to normalcy in various aspects of socio-economic and political spheres and the lift on the strict covid control measures, we remain vulnerable ; Omicron variant continues to drive the surge, with identified cases now showing both BA.1; the original Omicron and other descendant lineages, including BA.1.1 and BA.2.
Of concern is “Long-Covid,” which causes problems with mental health and affect people of all ages, genders, races and ethnicity. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines long Covid as health problems that last four or more weeks after a Covid-19 infection. The World Health Organization definition adds that the symptoms should not be able to be explained by an alternative diagnosis.
Much research is needed on “Long Covid” .There’s no cure or specific treatment; there’s not even a test for it. Scientists still don’t fully understand what the symptoms are, how long it lasts, or why some people get it and others don’t. They haven’t even settled on a name for it: Long Covid, Post-Covid, Long haul, Post-acute Covid or Chronic Covid.
Some people develop long Covid after a mild infection or even after an infection with no symptoms at all. They may have symptoms for a short amount of time or for years. Scientists don’t fully agree what symptoms count as Long Covid.
The best way to avoid Long Covid, doctors say, is to keep from catching Covid-19 in the first place. Some studies suggest that even with a breakthrough infection, the risk of Long Covid is much lower for people who are fully vaccinated.
Kenya has administered at least 17,439,527 doses of covid vaccines so far. Assuming every person needs 2 doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 16.6% of the country’s population. Covid-19 has become a chronic condition for tens of millions of people and an expensive one as well .Let us not relent on the fight against the pandemic; within our midst let us get and champion for the full dose vaccination including booster doses, masking, washing hands and social distancing where necessary putting in mind and in consideration the current electioneering period;for self care safety and the nation at large.
Dennis Wendo
Founder- Intergrated Development Network
Email: dambehi@gmail.com
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