Lubao FM News 
The government through the ministry of health has embarked on campaigns to influence the public on the need to take precautions and keep safety regulations in a bid to help control the gradual rise in the numbers of cases of covid 19 infections around the country recently.
The campaigns are also used as a strategy to encourage more citizens to take the jab and booster shots for those who had received their first vaccination. The badly hit economy has been recuperating well after His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta lifted the curfew after not only Businesses but also other activities in general came to a halt following the curfew that was put in place.
The looming August 9 general elections has raised eyebrows on how frequent political campaigns are held and the large number of crowds that gather in the public spaces increases the risks of infection.
Kenya has lately experienced an upsurge in covid- 19 infections in recent days with Monday 20th June reporting 246 new cases from a sample size of 1,993 tests translating to positivity rate of 12.6%. the obtaining situation has seen the ministry of health launch an accelerated vaccination campaign to increase the number of Kenyans fully vaccinated against the disease.so far a total of 18,589,484 doses have been administered with 8,580,397 adults having been fully vaccinated.
341,473 teenagers have also been fully vaccinated with 406,042 persons had already received their booster shot. The proportion of adults fully vaccinated stands at 31.5% with the government putting in more effort to see more people take the jab and be keen by observing the safety regulations put in place.
In a recent briefing the Health CS Mutahi Kagwe stressed on the need of everyone keeping in mind the rules kept in place to help prevent the spread of the virus. He announced the re-introduction of the mandatory wearing of masks in closed and confined spaces and places of worship. However, the indoor in person meetings will continue at full capacity provided that all participants are fully vaccinated with attendees putting on facemasks and also showing proof of vaccination.
Congregants in churches shall also continue to worship in full capacity provided that they are vaccinated and put on safety facemasks. International travelers arriving in the country who are fully vaccinated will however be exempted from the requirement of a PCR test and are exempted from quarantine upon arrival in the country. Health CS Mutahi Kagwe also gave a directive that all unvaccinated travelers arriving at any port of entry in Kenya will be required to be in possession of a negative COVID 19 PCR test result conducted not more than 72 hours before departure regardless of the route of entry. Unvaccinated travelers arriving in the country will at any point will be subjected to rapid antigen test at their own cost. All passenger service vehicles train and domestic air flight services will continue operations at full conveyance capacity.
Health ministry Principal Secretary Susan Mochache while speaking in Vihiga County on Wednesday 22nd June said that all stakeholders including churches, chiefs County Governments have a duty to ensure the safety regulatory Campaigns are observed and all Kenyans to take a personal initiative to go for the injections and the booster for those who had earlier received the jab.
To reduce exposure and transmission of respiratory diseases which are on the rise recently with cases of Monkey Pox being reported in countries like South Africa and in Europe so its advisable to stay as safe as possible and avoid large crowds. Its advisable to anyone exhibiting cold and flu like symptoms to dress warmly in order to avoid triggers. Also avoiding crowded and enclosed spaces is a mechanism that will see the number of infections reduce. Its better in this era for one to keep well hydrated exercise regularly, maintain a distance and have good body hygiene. Eating a good balanced diet coupled with green vegetables fruits seeking proper medical advice incase of any breathing difficulty.
The many concerns raised is just the focus on keenness to prevent another disaster as the 2019-2021 lockdowns where businesses were disrupted and lives lost is a situation that no one would wish to remember or go through. During this campaign period people attend rallies in public places and even other enclosed rooms which can lead to higher spread of the disease Travelers using public service vehicles are also at a risk and wearing of masks while the drivers and their assistants using the sanitizers can be a better way of Covid 19 prevention.
Maintaining proper hygiene in in- house meetings, churches, offices and keeping a distance in public places coupled with strict putting of masks will not only reduce other respiratory diseases but also the covid 19 threat.
By Kiraho Wycliffe.
