A survey by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and Wellcome Trust warned that over 2.7 million Kenyans have been exposed to Coronavirus (Covid-19).
The survey was based on 2,535 blood samples tested through blood donations collected from several parts of the country.
KEMRI developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that focuses on the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and validated it through numerous tests.
The researchers concluded their analysis by examining how antibodies in blood samples indicate whether a person was exposed to the virus. Antibodies can remain detectable for months.
“There is a large gap between the confirmed test cases identified by Rapid Response Teams in testing and tracing, and the numbers of individuals in the population that we believe have been exposed,” an excerpt of the report states.
File image of a Covid-19 testing kit.
Nairobi County leads with an estimated 12.4% which translates to approximately 550,000 residents out of 4.5 million. Rift Valley, Nyanza, Central, Eastern, Western and Coast had 510,000, 490,000, 370,000, 320,000, 220,000 and 200,000 respectively.
The gap refers to the difference between the recorded cases and the numbers used in the model. For instance, as of Thursday, June 2, Kenya recorded 6,941 cases with 152 fatalities. Nairobi had 3,526 cases as compared to 550,00 exposed Mombasa had 1,548 cases as compared to 200,000 exposed.
North Eastern did not report any case of Kenyans exposed to the virus, out of 41 blood samples collected.
The report added that Kenyans should prepare for severe cases of the disease because widespread exposure among the population leads models to predict significant numbers of severe illnesses and deaths. County hospitals are monitoring pneumonia cases, which spiked from 137,667 in February 2020 to 195,504 in June 2020.
The report estimates that the disease will cause approximately 6,684 deaths, while 26,093 people will suffer from severe illness.
The study detailed that Kenyans are either not getting severely sickly or are asymptomatic. Health Ministry already released a home-based care plan for Covid-19 patients, most of them asymptomatic.
It added that the best way to estimate exposure to COVID-19 in Kenya is to visit randomly selected homesteads and collect blood samples for testing. However, authorities have not pursued this approach because it is impractical while Kenya faces a shortage of testing kits.
ByÂ
Source-kenyans.co.ke
