The Ministry of Health (MoH) has urged all to adhere to Covid protocol as the number of cases jumped three times high in a week’s time.
The ministry on Monday reported 539 new cases and one death during the last 24 hours.
The total number of cases registered in the country reached 308,261, including 4,119 deaths.
The total number of recoveries reached 301,083 with recovery rate of 97.7 per cent.
In the last 24 hours 14 patients were admitted to hospitals across the country and the total number of inpatients is 40, including six in intensive care units (ICUs).
The number of Covid cases registered with the MoH on Sunday was 539 against 176 cases reported on January 3 which is more than three times high.
Added to it, there has been one death over the weekend and another one reported on Sunday.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the MoH have urged people to stick to Covid protocol and avoid gatherings and close contacts.
“There are several reasons why we’re seeing such a sharp increase in case numbers’’, says Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, Covid-19 Technical lead, WHO Health Emergencies Programme.
Vaccines are incredibly effective at preventing severe disease and death, but they don’t prevent all infections and they don’t prevent all onward transmission
Dr Maria Van Kerkhove
WHO official
According to her, the predominant reason is the emergence of Omicron and the circulation of Omicron, which transmits very efficiently between people.
“There’s a number of reasons for this. First is the mutations that it has. The virus is able to adhere to human cells more easily. It has mutations that allow it to do that. Second, is that we have what is called immune escape.” This means that people can be reinfected.
She urged all to get vaccinated as the governments advise and safeguard oneself and others.
“Vaccines are incredibly effective at preventing severe disease and death, but they don’t prevent all infections and they don’t prevent all onward transmission. So it is still absolutely critical to get vaccinated because it will save your life, but it doesn’t prevent all infections or transmission’’, Dr Maria added.
Dr Nihal Afifi, Head of Primary Health and contact point for vaccination, informed that all can get their vaccines administered at the old airport building in Seeb on an appointment.
“Now anyone can have vaccine at the old airport premises including the 3rd dose on an appointment through tarassud plus app.”
She advocates that people should avoid mixing more, people coming into contact with others more and adhere to public health and social measures like social distancing, wearing of a well-fitting mask, avoiding crowds and spending time more outdoors than indoors.
