The Kenyan medical student who was on Friday quarantined in Mombasa after arriving from China, has tested negative for the deadly coronavirus infection.
According to the Ministry of Health, the student from Southern Medical University in Guangzhou, who arrived in the county on January 30, was in good condition and more tests will be done in South Africa.
The patient was first admitted at Mombasa Hospital with complaints of chest pain and difficulties in breathing and later transferred to Coast General Hospital where she was isolated in a private room at Rehemtullah wing.
“After the necessary tests, we have confirmed the primary results are negative, the Health Ministry said in a statement on Sunday evening.
The Ministry reassured Kenyans and visitors that the country is free from novel Corona Virus 2019 and that stringent measures have been put in place to prevent its importation into the country.
“We would urge anyone who is travelling from the affected countries, especially China to cooperate with health officials,” added the statement.
The Mombasa County Chief Health Officer, Dr. Khadija Shikely had on Sunday confirmed that the student who hails from Likoni constituency in Mombasa was admitted at the referral hospital and strictly confined at a private wing.
“We have sent her blood samples to the Ministry of Health in Nairobi for analysis. At the moment even family members are not allowed to visit her except the Doctor and nurses assigned to her, revealed Dr. Shikely.
The news of the sick student went viral in social media and caused panic among the residents of the tourist resort town of Mombasa.
The Outgoing Health Cabinet Secretary (CS), Sicily Kariuki on Saturday asked Kenyans to avoid non-essential visit to China.
By Mohamed Hassan
