Surging positivity rate worries Mombasa medics as festive season beckons
An aerial view of Mombasa city.
As the festive season approaches, medics are worried over the high coronavirus positivity rate in Mombasa, urging residents to strictly adhere to protocols to curb the virus.
The Governor Hassan Joho-led county has now issued guidelines on how to curb Covid-19 during the Christmas holiday as medics remain a worried lot.
Traditionally, during the festive season, thousands of residents from upcountry troop to the Coastal city of Mombasa to enjoy their holidays at public beaches and hotels. However, medics are concerned over the spike in the coronavirus positivity rate, which currently stands at 15.6 per cent.
The county has urged wedding and party-goers to exercise caution during the festive season and ensure they follow the guidelines issued by the Interfaith Council.
However, Governor Joho has issued guidelines on how to curb the disease during the holidays.
“We are heading to Christmas, we must ensure we minimise congregations and mingling. Let’s ensure we are not more than 50 people at a wedding function as per the directive by the council. Those organising functions should write names of the attendees, take their temperatures and ensure they have sanitisers. People will go to parties, remove their masks and start singing so we are trying to minimise cases that could cripple our health system,” said Mombasa county director of public health Dr Salma Swaleh.
The county has further urged those who might fall sick to call the 24-hour toll lines for help -- 0793390984, 0777777242 or 0734881233.
Those who require coronavirus tests for travelling purposes have been urged to seek the services from the Public Health Department at Mwembe Tayari for Sh2,000.
The county has surveillance teams in the six sub-counties namely Mvita, Changamwe, Likoni, Jomvu, Kisauni and Likoni.
“But those who just feel sick and suspect they have the virus can seek test services at different areas: Kisauni and Nyali residents at Utange, Likoni at Mrima maternity, Mvita-Mvita health centre and Changamwe at Port Reitz hospital,” said Dr Swaleh in an interview with an FM station in Mombasa.
The county director of public health urged residents to report cases of those who succumb at home through the area chief who will notify her health team to take samples of the bodies to ascertain the cause of death.
At the Likoni crossing channel, the public health officer has urged residents to take responsibility by adhering to the protocols.
“Your health is your responsibility, we have 200 taps at the crossing channel but the residents do not wash their hands. We instituted a law that no boarding of ferries without masks but they are worn on the chin or whenever people spot a police officer. But it’s your life, take caution. We have social distancing marks but who is following these guidelines? We could place security teams but the buck stops with you. Stop defying the protocols,” stressed the county director of public health.
