The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against loosening containment measures, stating that the virus is still present and urging people to continue wearing masks as Covid-19 infections increase in some countries.
According to WHO, factors contributing to the increase in cases include the presence of the highly transmissible Omirocon variant and its cousinBA.2, as well as the lifting of public health measures imposed during the pandemic’s peak.
“These increases are occurring despite reductions in testing in some countries, which means the cases we’re seeing are just the tip of the iceberg,” WHO boss Tedros Adhanom Gheberyesus said.
Other factors are people mingling without their masks on and warning immunity from vaccination or prior infection said Anthony Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergy and infectious diseases.
“Without a doubt, opening up society and having people mingle indoors is clearly something that is a contributor,” Fauci said.
Two weeks later the government lifted the mandatory wearing of face masks in public places even as it further eased the COVID-19 restrictions after the country maintained a low positivity rate.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, encouraged the use of masks in indoor functions.
However, Kenyans have been advised to continue maintaining social distance to ensure risk of spread is limited; we encourage the use of masks in all indoor functions.