Kenyans to brace themselves for a sixth Covid-19 wave

Scientists have asked Kenyans to brace themselves for a sixth wave of Covid-19.

The 15th advisory by the eminent committee of the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) states that the next Covid-19 wave is likely to begin at the end of April and be at its peak around the 17th of May and go on a downward spiral after the 2nd of June.

The estimated period for predicated wave is likely to be about 40 days however, is expected to be mild.

“The likely daily average infections will be 500 and the number of people projected to get the virus is 20,000, with total fatalities in the entire period being 349,” LREB Eminent Committee chairman Khama Rogo said.

Rogo insists that a significant number of the population are yet to receive vaccines. The Vaccine empathy is expected to be a huge hindrance to the war against COVID-19 and a huge health risk to Kenyans with underlying health conditions.

“We should increase vaccination efforts, especially booster shots for adults, particularly the high-risk groups,” he said.

Statistics from various hospitals countywide indicated that Some counties that barely had new Covid-19 cases have started registering them.

“The cases coincide with the prediction made by the LREB committee. We had just one patient in our unit in the last two weeks but the number is growing. This also follows a recent training on active screening. I had taken my leave but have to go back to work,” he said yesterday.

“Masking prevented the spread of the virus and other respiratory illnesses like tuberculosis. People are no longer washing hands as they used to. Even diarrhoea cases are on the increase,” he said.

The doctor is of the opinion that the elderly in the society need to be protected by ensuring that majority of the population are inoculated.

“Old people were affected by all the Covid-19 waves. The very young were hardest hit by the Omicron wave and those with underlying conditions such as diabetes are also at risk,” he said.

Ouko pointed out the laxity of COVID-19 protocol especially since the country is in a political season.

“We accurately predicted the five waves yet people are behaving like the war on the virus has already been won,” he said yesterday.

While the Ministry of Health says the country has fully vaccinated about 30 per cent of the population, it is far from achieving the 70 per cent global target by June.