KEMRI stops from managing and testing Coronavirus samples -KEMRI boss Dr Yeri Kombe

KEMRI headquarters, Nairobi. PHOTO | STAR

KEMRI quits from handling sample collection for Coronavirus at its headquarters and other centres.


KEMRI director-general Yeri Kombe said walk-ins to the facilities will no longer be allowed.


"Members of the public and all corporate clients are advised to make a formal request to Kemri if they need Covid-19 sample collection services," he said.

However, the institution did not give reasons for terminating collection.


Last week, a KEMRI report revealed about 2.6 million Kenyans already have the coronavirus.


This was the conclusion after scientists tested donated blood for antibodies.


The researchers at Wellcome Trust tested blood donated across the country between April 30 and June 16.


"Antibody testing suggests many more Kenyans have already been exposed to Covid-19 than have been identified by surveillance activities," Kemri says in a policy brief, released early this week.


Its estimated about 550,000 people in Nairobi and roughly 100,000 in Mombasa have already contracted and recovered from Covid-19, probably after achieving some immunity.