Rwanda has been recording daily Covid deaths in recent days, particularly from Boxing Day with a total of 41 fatalities confirmed in those 12 days.

Equally, the nightly update from the Ministry of Health has been showing another disturbing trend: daily positive cases in the north of 100.

As expected this year has not started any better than the previous one, in fact it’s worse than the dawn of 2020, at least from this part of the world.

From deaths and confirmed cases to active cases and mortality rate we are seeing worse numbers than any time before.

The situation is dire and calls for serious measures – collectively and individually. This is why we must all observe all Covid-19 guidelines to the letter.

The situation might even get worse with millions of students expected to resume physical classes soon.

This, coupled with other worrying developments such as confirmation of emergence of more contagious variants in some countries, makes the immediate future look bleak.

Nonetheless, if we can all be responsible for our safety and that of our loved ones by not exposing ourselves and taking all necessary precaution, we can go a long way in tackling this virus and its devastating consequences.

Yes, it is clear that we have no choice but to co-exist with the deadly pandemic, but this is not a fight we can afford to resign to either. As we’ve already seen, Covid-19 is not just another overhyped virus and therefore we cannot afford to throw caution to the wind. While we must not let fear and panic get the better of us, only fools can be complacent in the face of this unforgiving and deadly virus.

As such, we are all called upon to remain steadfast in the fight against this pandemic by observing preventive guidelines such as regularly and thoroughly washing our hands with soap or sanitising, avoiding crowded places and always observing at least one metre from others, and properly masking up in public. 

Let us all play our role by taking care of ourselves and our loved ones and community. Our individual contributions have never been more important.