A new coronavirus variant first reported in the UK and then South Africa has been reported in Kenya.
Two men who left the country are said to have been diagnosed with the new variant, acting director-general in the Ministry of Health Dr Patrick Amoth said on Wednesday.
He did not, however, disclose where the two men were tested.
“This was picked (up) because of our heightened surveillance system. These two gentlemen have since gone back to their country. At the point of picking them, they were all asymptomatic,” he told the press.
This comes as Kenyan scientist a week ago stated that they had picked a new coronavirus variant in Taita Taveta County.
Scientists from the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) led by lead researcher Dr Charles Agoti said that this new variant has not been seen in any other part of the country.
Kemri said the new variant from Taita Taveta could be spreading silently.
Dr Agoti said that it increased the number of new infections.
Across the world, previous variants of coronavirus have mutated and two of the new mutations are quickly spreading globally.
The mutation of the virus according to experts takes in more protein which gives it a distinctive shape making it more transmissible.
Genetic changes to the virus make it resistant to treatment including vaccines. It is also becoming impossible to diagnose it without modification of diagnostic tools.
Still on matters coronavirus, 186 new cases were recorded in Thursday raising the country’s tally to 99,630.
A total of 8,049 samples were tested in the last 24 hours.
Nairobi had 95 cases, Mombasa 23, Busia 17, Kiambu 10, Isiolo 6, Kwale 6, Nakuru 5, Uasin Gishu 5, Taita Taveta 3, Kajiado 2, Siaya 2, Kakamega 2, Machakos 2, Kisumu 2, Kilifi 1, Nandi 1, Nyamira 1, Makueni 1, Migori 1 and Bungoma 1.
Still on matters coronavirus, 186 new cases were recorded in Thursday raising the country’s tally to 99,630.
A total of 8,049 samples were tested in the last 24 hours.
Nairobi had 95 cases, Mombasa 23, Busia 17, Kiambu 10, Isiolo 6, Kwale 6, Nakuru 5, Uasin Gishu 5, Taita Taveta 3, Kajiado 2, Siaya 2, Kakamega 2, Machakos 2, Kisumu 2, Kilifi 1, Nandi 1, Nyamira 1, Makueni 1, Migori 1 and Bungoma 1.
Still on matters coronavirus, 186 new cases were recorded in Thursday raising the country’s tally to 99,630.
A total of 8,049 samples were tested in the last 24 hours.
Nairobi had 95 cases, Mombasa 23, Busia 17, Kiambu 10, Isiolo 6, Kwale 6, Nakuru 5, Uasin Gishu 5, Taita Taveta 3, Kajiado 2, Siaya 2, Kakamega 2, Machakos 2, Kisumu 2, Kilifi 1, Nandi 1, Nyamira 1, Makueni 1, Migori 1 and Bungoma 1.
