Experts: Why Covid-19 is no longer a threat

Strong immune systems have reduced the rate of Covid-19 infections in Kenya.

As the country records a sharp drop in Covid cases, experts now say vaccinations have stimulated the population’s immunity.

Health ministry acting director-general Dr Patrick Amoth further attributed the immunity boost to infections from coronavirus variants.

Dr Amoth said reduced infections and fatality rates are a clear indication that Kenya’s journey towards vaccination is beginning to bear fruit.

In an exclusive interview with The Standard, Dr Amoth said at the peak of the Omicron variant in November last year, a number of people were exposed.

“The reduced number of infections and mortality is an indication that the country is in control.” 

Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, Kenya has documented 323,155 cumulative cases and 5,641 deaths as of Tuesday.

Few infections

The ministry’s recent data reveals a sharp drop in infections and fatalities in the past three months.

The highest infections were documented in January, with a caseload of 26,353. The highest number of cases recorded in a day was 2,444 on January 7.

More cases continued being recorded on January 1 to 8, at 2,127, declining to 1,167 in that period.

A drop of cases was reported from January 9 with 714 cases. The figures had significantly dropped to less than 100 per day by the end of the month.

Further, the number of infections dropped to 1,556 in February. As of March 7, only 148 cases were reported.

Currently, the country is recording less than 20 cases in a day.

Amoth has however cautioned Kenyans against lowering their guard, saying containment measures should be observed to avert a surge in cases.

“People should keep wearing masks, especially if they are in enclosed spaces,” he warned.

Further, he pleaded with Kenyans who have not been vaccinated to get the shots.

“If fully vaccinated, go for a booster vaccine to be assured of more protection in case any other variant of concern emerges.”

As of March 7, more than 16.9 million vaccines had been administered across the country, out of which more than 7.8 million were partially vaccinated.

The government is working towards vaccinating a target population of 27 million people.

Dr Amoth said: “We are pleading with Kenyans to maintain all Covid-19 regulations as we find answers on the measures to maintain and those to drop.”

New peak

Prof Matilu Mwau, an infectious diseases specialist, who is also Kenya Medical Research Institute deputy director, reiterated that even with controlled infections, it is not yet time to celebrate as a new peak might arise.

Kenya has reported five waves since the beginning of the pandemic.

The first wave was reported in August 2020, with an average of 700 cases and 14 deaths a day.

Three months later, a second wave was reported in November, while a third, fourth and fifth waves were reported in March 2021, August 2021 and December 2021, respectively.

Prof Mwau linked the fifth peak of the virus to the omicron variant that was widespread, while the fourth wave was linked to the delta variant that was highly infectious and with more fatalities.

“One of the reasons why we might not have reported high deaths in the recent peak is that omicron might not have been so deadly, but at the same time, the wave found many people vaccinated,” he said.

With schools closed, the researcher said there may be a rise in infections since schoolgoing children are not vaccinated.

County infections

Meanwhile, counties have been recording low infections, with a number of Covid-19 isolation wards and centres remaining empty. In some cases, the wards are used for general healthcare services.

In Siaya, there has been no Covid-19 admission in the past two weeks, according to Health executive Dismas Walka.

“We do not have any patients managed in any of our Covid-19 centres, neither are we reporting new infections,” he said. During the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, the county set up Covid-19 isolation centres in Siaya, Bondo and Nyambira. However, the county consolidated management of all Covid-19 cases at Siaya county hospital Covid-19 management unit.

In Kakamega, there has been no Covid-19 case in the past month, with Laikipia County closing isolation centres.