Prominent medic Dr Githinji Gitahi has warned of a possible spike of Covid-19 after thousands of fans attended the WRC Safari rally in Naivasha at the weekend urging them to self isolate for 14 days.
Gitahi noted that with crowding there was minimal following of the Covid-19 health protocols and all fans who attended should consider themselves at risk of infection.
While thanking Kenyans for supporting the country when the WRC Safari Rally returned after 19 years, he noted that Naivasha brought together thousands of households from all over the country into a crowded and close contact environment.
“Do Covid19 precautions by assuming you are already exposed to the Delta Variant! Naivasha brought together thousands of different households from all over the country into a common crowded and close contact environment,” said Dr Gitahi.
Dr Gitahi who is the Global CEO Amref, cautioned that the “Naivasha” households have then travelled back to their communities like ‘viral evangelists.”
Dr Gitahi adviced the fans to voluntarily isolate for 14 days and mask if they have to meet others.
He said isolation is not jail but a deliberate and responsible decision to reduce the risk of spread.
“Isolation is not jail, it’s a deliberate and responsible decision to reduce public contact to reduce the risk of contagion (spread of disease by contact) when one is aware of exposure,” he said.
Kenyans have expressed fears that the large crowds witnessed in Naivasha and the partying that went on may have exposed the rally fans to the deadly virus.
Parallels have been drawn to the aftermath of the Madaraka Day celebrations in Kisumu where thousands of people gathered and where a spike in Covid-19 has been reported.
This has forced the government to intensify the Covid-19 containment measures where the 10:00pm daly curfew was brought forward to 7:00pm.
Nairobians are worried that should a spike arise the highly unpopular stringent containment measures may be applied.
