Coronavirus in Kenya: 22 quarantined in hospital

Kenyan Health Minister, Mutahi Kagwe. /Photo courtesy of Social media

Government officials on Saturday briefed the country on the coronavirus following confirmation of Kenya's first case on Friday.

The patient is a 27 year-old Kenyan who travelled from the US via London.

The Health ministry said she is in a self-contained room at the Kenyatta National Hospital. On Friday, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said she will not be released from KNH's Infectious Disease Unit until she is confirmed negative.

Dr Mwangangi said 22 people who were in close contact with the infected person have been quarantined at Mbagathi hospital in Nairobi.

Samples collected from them are being tested at laboratories at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri).

The ministry further said that 23 people of mixed nationalities who travelled with the patient were traced and advised to self-quarantine for 14 days.

The CAS said the people were identified through the flight manifest and are not in Kenya.

(Source: Daily Nation)