The 11 Chinese nationals who were quarantined in Mavoko, Machakos County have been declared healthy and free from coronavirus by the Machakos health surveillance team.
The Chinese nationals, nine men and two women, underwent standard screening at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Wednesday, February 25 aboard a China Southern Airlines and were ordered to self-quarantine for 14 days.
In a press statement that was issued to media houses on Thursday morning, Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua said after the lapse of the quarantine period, the surveillance team found that they do not have any fevers.
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“I want to assure you that the 11 nationals who came from China and were quarantined have been tested and declared free of coronavirus” said Dr. Mutua.
“We have three Machakos isolation wards and 15 trained medical staff ready to manage any suspected Corona case. Two specialized Machakos ambulances have been set aside for any suspected case” read the statement in part.
The governor said that guidelines have been sent out to all Machakos health workers and facilities and an initial 50 protective kits and medicines been acquired.
Further, Governor Mutua assured the residents that the county is prepared to deal with the disease should any case be reported.
"I wish to correct the perception by some people on Kenya’s preparedness. I can confirm that Ministry of Health officers are working very hard with us and Kenya is as prepared as it can be. Machakos Corona Virus Hotline numbers: 0110025345 and 0110025346,” said Dr. Mutua.
During a press briefing last week, Machakos Health minister, Dr. Ancent Kituku, assured the residents that the Chinese nationals who arrived in the Mavoko had not shown any signs of the virus.
In a status report issued to the media, Dr. Kituku said the nationals who live in Sidai Estate, Delta Plains apartments, China Yu HI along Mombasa road, are aged between 20 and 47 years and are from Anhui province, Shaanxi, Fijian, Guang Dong, Zhengjiang, Shandong and Hebei provinces in the People’s Republic of China.
This came barely a day after Mavoko MP Patrick Makau called on the residents to be vigilant after Chinese nationals were spotted walking around wearing masks in Sidai Estate in Athi River.
Kenya is among African countries singled out to be at high risk of being affected by the virus by the World Health Organization due to the volume of air traffic connections between the country and Chinese regions heavily impacted by the virus.
