CORONAVIRUS IN KENYA

The first case of coronavirus (COVID-19) has been officially reported in Kenya on March 13th. We are since August 26th at 33016 confirmed cases, 564 reported death and 19296 total recovery in the country.

The novel coronavirus or COVID-19 is an infectious condition first identified in China in December 2019. It means that this new virus can be spread directly or indirectly from a person to another. it involves the upper repiratory tract (nose, throat, airways and lungs).

This new virus has high infectivity but low mortality. In fact, almost 80% of the patients affected have mild symptoms and recover from the desease generally in less than 2 or 3 weeks. Most of the symptoms can be treated with timely medical care.

People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.

There is currently no vaccine yet to prevent the new Coronavirus disease. The best way to prevent it is to avoid being exposed to the virus.

How exactly does the coronavirus spread?

As we said before, this new virus has high infectivity and can be spread directly or indirectly from a person to another. it involves the upper repiratory tract (nose, throat, airways and lungs)

It will spread through your eye, nose and your mouth by droplets produced by coughing or sneezing. So it will spread by close contact with an affected person or a contamined surface.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

What are the 3 P’s?

1. PROTECT YOURSELVES
2. PROTECT YOUR LOVED ONE
3. PROTECT YOUR COMMUNITY

We should all observe the following preventive measures :

Wash your hands frequently

Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.

Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.

Maintain social distancing

Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth

Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

Practice respiratory hygiene

Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

CURFEW IN KENYA