Covid-19 positive cases up as experts predict ‘mild’ sixth wave

Of 10 patients tested for Covid-19 at Siaya County Referral Hospital, four have tested positive for the virus, although scientists are predicting an impending mild sixth wave through June 2022.< / p>

According to a report by the Lake Region Economic Bloc, Siaya Referral Hospital saw a 43 percent increase in the percentage who tested positive as the number of cases continues to rise in the country.< /p>

This comes at a time when the country is testing fewer samples and vaccinating a few Kenyans, forcing experts to call for an urgent increase in the number tested and vaccinated samples.

The country is testing fewer than 2,000 samples per day from a peak of 10,000, meaning the kits and reagents used for testing will expire in the coming weeks.

From the report go hey Previously, the Committee of Eminent People for Covid-19 Control, Counseling, Resource Mobilization and Socio-Economic Recovery noted that Chulaimbo County Hospital also saw a 10 percent increase.

Risk of Vaccine Expiration

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“We were concerned to learn that some county facilities have run out of rapid testing kits. For example, Kakamega County Referral Hospital has run out of kit left for testing, at the same time vaccination efforts are declining with the risk of vaccine expiration,” said Prof. Khama Rogo, the LREB Committee Chair.

< p class= "align--justify">He said that Siaya County’s Referral and Chulaimbo Hospitals have significantly higher positivity rates. Others such as Kisumu County Referral Hospital, JOOTRH, Avenue Hospital and Aga Khan have reported positive Covid-19 cases.

“We recommend that county health facilities purchase rapid test kits . Where possible, we suggest mass testing of people and contact tracing to prevent further spread,” he said.

In addition to testing, the committee recommends mass vaccination to reach a vaccination rate of 70 Percent to be reached from the current 31 per cent.

“Many Kenyans do not want their booster shots, it is advisable that fully vaccinated individuals whose booster shots are due should visit vaccination centres to get the boost,” he said.

18 million doses

Data released by the Department of Health on Monday showed that a total of about 18 million doses of vaccines have been administered across the country.

Of these, approximately 16 million doses will be administered to the adult population (18 years and older). 1.34 million doses were given to people between the ages of 15 and 17, while 33,452 were given to people under the age of 15. Only 323,148 doses were given as booster doses.

This brings the proportion of adults who are fully vaccinated to 31 percent as the government aims to reach a target population by the end of the year out of 27 million to vaccinate.

“ We’re still behind on testing and vaccinations, we’ve really slumped and this could affect us if we catch a stronger wave should experience,” said Prof. Rogo.

On Monday, the country administered 6,193 vaccine doses.

So far, has only Nyeri County has more than 51 percent of its population fully vaccinated, followed by Nairobi at 49 percent and Kakamega at 39 percent, and Nakuru, Laikipia, Kirinyaga, and Taita Taveta counties at 38 percent.

“Information gathered during the last few days in LREB suggests that a sixth wave of Covid-19 bev It was scientifically predicted that the wave would start in late April and last until June 2022. Our scientists predicted that the sixth wave would likely be mild and last 40 days,” he said.

Signs of an increase in positive cases

Already, he said, there are now signs of an increase in positive Covid-19 cases.

However, Kenyans appear to have weathered the pandemic and are not afraid of it the increase in cases.

They shake hands again while some disinfect, a sign that the likelihood of spread is very high should there be a surge.

Experts have now urged Kenyans to reconsider measures to prevent serious symptoms.

“You know, when it occurs, individuals show it differently, others get mild symptoms while others get mild symptoms and it is difficult to dependent on the immunity that we lose it,” says Prof. Matilu Mwau, infectious disease researcher at the Kenya Medical Research Institute.

“We must continue to wash our hands and social distancing in public places,” he said.

Be vigilant

Dr. Patrick Amoth, acting director-general at the Ministry of Health, said the virus is still in the community and Kenyans should be vigilant.

“We have not defeated this yet. We have the virus with us and we should continue to monitor the measures and make sure we stay safe,” said Dr. Amoth.

Prof Shem Otoi, a modeling expert, said the country could be warming up for another Covid-19 wave, although it may not be felt as it is expected to will be mild.

“My concern is that we don’t test. We don’t vaccinate either. We urgently need to go back to basics, test more and vaccinate more when we have the vaccines here,” he said.