Covid-19 variant from India detected in Kenya, MoH says – KBC

The Ministry of Health has Wednesday confirmed the Indian Variant of Covid-19 has been picked in Kenya from Indian workers in Kisumu County.

Dr Patrick Amoth while addressing the media said 18 Indian travellers who arrived in the country via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport tested positive based on antigen tests conducted.

The 18 travellers will however have to undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to confirm the results.

This statement comes days after the Kenyan Government suspended all flights to and from India for 14 days.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the National Response Committee (NERC) arrived at the decision after deliberations following the upsurge of COVID-19 cases in India.

“The Committee observed the dire events in India and noted the increasing surge of COVID-19 infections in the country. The Committee empathized with the situation and through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed solidarity with the Government of India in dealing with the situation,” he said

The suspension took effect on Saturday 29^th of April meaning passengers travelling to or arriving from India only had 72 hours to do so.

Passengers who arrived from India within 72 hours under the new restrictions were supposed to undergo mandatory COVID-19 tests and also required to take 14 days quarantine on arrival.

Cargo operations will however continue between the two countries in observance of transport protocols.

Daily infections in India rose by 382,315 on Wednesday, health ministry data showed. The number has been in excess of 300,000 every day for the past two weeks.