Following reports of a new COVID-19 Variant in Botswana, South Africa, and Hong Kong, all travellers to Kenya would be subjected to heightened COVID-19 surveillance procedures.
Dr. Patrick Amoth, Director-General of the Ministry of Health, stated in a statement released on Friday that response measures in the affected countries are unclear, posing a serious concern.
Dr. Amoth noted that the new variant’s cases have so far been limited to the three countries, but that “given its ease of transmission and a global return to mass migrations, there is a need for greater monitoring at all our points of entry,” he added.
The new strain, known as B.1.1.529, has 32 mutations, making it highly transmissible and potentially vaccine-resistant.
As a result, the Ministry of Health has instructed all national and county health facilities to prepare for an increase in the number of new cases.
“The availability of critical care facilities, piped oxygen, and increased HR surge capacity should be prioritized,” Dr Amoth stated.
Given the country’s current abundance of COVID-19 vaccines, all Kenyans who are eligible for the dose have been recommended to get vaccinated.
All visitors to Kenya will be required to present a negative COVID-19 negative certificate obtained at least 96 hours prior to their arrival.
*This article was written by Gerald Gekara for Uzalendo News. Email: uzalendonews24@gmail.com to submit your story.
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