AVOID HUGE POLITICAL GATHERINGS – MINISTRY OF HEALTH

By NATION REPORTER THERE is a high risk of Covid-19 transmission through gatherings such as political campaigns hence the need for leaders to ensure that the super spreader activities do not propel transmission, Government has advised. Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Kennedy Malama said a multi-sectoral response engagement with all political parties …

AVOID HUGE POLITICAL GATHERINGS – MINISTRY OF HEALTH
By NATION REPORTER THERE is a high risk of Covid-19 transmission through gatherings such as political campaigns hence the need for leaders to ensure that the super spreader activities do not propel transmission, Government has advised. Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Kennedy Malama said a multi-sectoral response engagement with all political parties would be stepped up. In a statement issued yesterday, he urged politicians to be responsive. Dr Malama said there was an increase in the number of daily Covid-19 cases from congregate settings including social gatherings, learning institutions and workplaces. “At the peak of the second wave we saw over 500 cases requiring admission a situation which placed a lot of strain on our health care system. With the rise in cases and hospitalisations, we have started seeing the pressure will continue mounting unless we enhance adherence to public health guidelines,” he said. He said the reported variants of concern in the country were also going to have an impact on the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr Malama said the ministry would continue with the routine genomic sequencing as part of the routine surveillance. “The commitment of our Covid-19 response continue to be focused on saving lives, livelihoods and our economy. We need as a collective to ensure that we play our pivotal role at individual, family, institutional, community and country level to prevent and mitigate further spread of Covid-19,” he said. Dr Malama said the ministry had continued strengthening point of entry surveillance with over 6, 000 travellers screened in the last 24 hours. SUBSCRIBE TO READ MORE STORIES: SUBSCRIBE