Yes, you read that right. The people who have tested positive for Coronavirus stand 6,000 cases and counting. This figure coincides with yet another one that you should know about.
The global coronavirus cases have exceeded 10 million. Now for all its worth, put a face to each of the numbers. The magnitude of COVID 19 is immense. It is unrelenting in its very nature.
Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Dr Mercy Mwangangi says, “In the month of June, up to today, 85,142 samples have been tested, and 4,049 people have tested positive. From these figures, it is evidently clear that the number of those testing positive has been on a sharp increase”
So what is it that Kenyans are doing or not doing that is contributing to the rise in new infections? There are many reasons. One of them is that containment measures are not been adhered to. If you want to gauge for yourself, go to your local market and observe the general recklessness that ignores the reality of COVID 19.
What Next After The 6,000 Mark?
The more things change, the more they remain the same. Everything about COVID 19 depends on how you and I take responsibility. In fact, this has never been so true especially for those who have had to wait for their results for long. Or the people who have been turned away in health facilities because they had coronavirus. There are reports of patients waiting for far too long to be admitted in health facilities that just won’t own up and say they are incapable or ill-equipped of taking care of COVID 19 patients.
This is the reminder that we must all pay attention to. If you hadn’t known this, COVID 19 is preventable. Here is what you can do
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick, even inside your home. Be serious about social distancing.
- Use a facemask as if it were the last thing left to save your life. When you are in a public place, mask-up.
- Clean up, disinfect. There is no science to this. Any surface that has been touched, clean it up.
- If you have symptoms, see a doctor immediately. That way you protect yourself and those you love.
Of course, there is a lot of pressure to re-open the economy. And rightfully so. But are we ready? Maybe, maybe not. Share your thoughts on afyawatch@gmail.co.ke. If you have a health story you would like to share use the same email and keep reading.
