Long-distance truck driver taken down with Covid-19 symptoms in Taita Taveta

A passenger on transit along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway has been detained in hospital after he developed symptoms similar to those of Covid-19.

The passenger was detected early yesterday by surveillance and monitoring teams deployed in various screening centres along the highway.

Taita-Taveta County Health Executive said the suspect has been placed on quarantine at the Mwatate Sub County Hospital for further investigations.

Mr John Mwangeka said the patient was first brought to the Voi County Referral Hospital before he was transferred to Mwatate Hospital isolation unit.

It is not clear how the passenger was travelling as there is a ban on transport between Nairobi and the coast region.

However, reports indicate the alleged patient was travelling in a truck from Uganda. Trucks transporting essential goods are exempted from the curfew.

"Medical personnel are taking blood samples from the victim. The samples will be taken to the Kemri laboratories in Nairobi for analysis,” stated Mwakima.