Kenya confirms first case of Omicron variant

Kenya has detected the first case of COVID-19 Omicron variant, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has announced.

According to CS Kagwe, the three cases were spotted among foreigners who had travelers from abroad.

“We’ve detected Omicron among travellers and it’s just a matter of time before it becomes the dominant variant across the globe, I have no doubt about it. However, no local case has been reported. It’s spreading very fast but the saving grace is, its not severe,” the CS said.

The Omicron variant is a variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

It was first detected in South Africa on November 24, 2021 and then reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) for confirmation.

WHO designated it as a variant of concern and named it “Omicron”, the fifteenth letter in the Greek alphabet.