Fears of a possible outbreak of Corona virus spread at the weekend following a surge in cases of a flu with similar symptoms to the disease that claimed over 5,000 lives between 2020 and 2022.
Several learning institutions moved fast to ask learners to observe Covid-19 prevention measures including face masks even as medical experts remained divided over the possible return of the respiratory pandemic that devastated the world in 2020.
The top management of Moi Educational Centre (MEC) group of schools for instance called on its community of students and employees to revisit public health protocols that were employed at the height of the pandemic in the country citing advice from medical experts.
“Following advice from medical experts of the outbreak of a new Covid-19 variant, we now advise all our learners and staff to observe strict safety measures as mitigation,” the school principal, Augustine Musyoka wrote in ‘Safely Alert’ notice on Omicron JN 1.covid 19 variant.
On March 15, 2024, the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicated that globally, JN.1 was the most reported Covid variant in 115 countries, accounting for 90.3 per cent of sequences in week 9 of 2024 compared to 89.4 per cent, three weeks earlier.
“Our school clinic is on high alert and we have taken necessary measures to stay safe.
“We ask learners and parents at home and in public places to stay safe by adhering to Covid-19 safety protocols at least in the meantime,” he said, noting that once the school management feels it’s safe, normalcy will resume.
He also advised the MEC community to seek quick medical attention in case they are suspicious of the signs.
Last week, several epidemiological experts sounded alarm over the possible resurgence of the pandemic which sent the country and the world at large into a total lockdown four years ago.
Dr Shem Otoi, a Covid-19 waves modelling expert was quoted in the media terming the surge in the respiratory infectious disease as not surprising since the symptoms had been observed before.
Downplayed fears
“When we look at past data from our modelling, the periodicity and seasonality of waves happening now could identify this period as a peak of Covid-19, only that this could be a mild one,” he was quoted.
Dr Sultani Matendechero, the deputy Director-General for Health at the Ministry of Health’s Public Health and Professional Standards department however downplayed any fears, saying that surveillance in the country shows that Covid-19 infections are still on the decline.
He however asked Kenyans not to take chances by going for boosters.
“We still have the Covid-19 vaccines, which people should go for,” he said.
Dr Kanyenje Gakombe, the chairman, Kenya Healthcare Federation (KHF) on his part said there was no empirical evidence to support reports of presence of the Covid-19, noting that people are just thinking that there’s an outbreak since they are more aware of flu symptoms.
