This archive report was first published on 16 July 2020.
Kenyans Quarantined for 60 Days Despite Negative Symptoms ¶
Published on July 16, 2020
At least 100 Kenyans, including a Principal Secretary, a Senior Member of Parliament, and two judges, have been forced to remain in quarantine for 60 days after testing positive for COVID-19.
According to the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri), these individuals have not shown any signs or experienced any medical complications, yet they continue to test positive for the virus.
Prof Matilu Mwau, the head of Kemri's research and testing unit, explained that the cycle threshold (ct) value of some of the individuals in question registers between 24 and 27, indicating that the virus is still active.
However, Mwau clarified that the individuals in question cannot be infectious, and his team is looking at the development of COVID-19 antigens in their bodies.
Dr Githinji Gitahi, Amref Africa chief executive, and an infectious diseases specialist, advised that Kenyans should not be concerned about the latest development, as after 10 days, the person infected cannot transmit the virus.
Gitahi recommended that individuals remain in isolation for at least a week as a precautionary measure.
He also explained that the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended two different ways to determine if a previously infected person can safely leave isolation.
One way is to conduct tests until there are two consecutive negative results, taken no less than 24 hours apart, while the other way is symptom-based, where a patient is considered recovered if they are without symptoms for a week and have not had a fever for three days.
