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Nov 7 2022
Arnold W. Lambisia1, *, Joyce U. Nyiro1, John M. Morobe1, Timothy N. Makori1, Leonard Ndwiga1, Maureen W. Mburu1, Edidah O. Moraa1, Jennifer Musyoki1, Nickson Murunga1, Philip Bejon1,2, Lynette Isabella Ochola-Oyier1,2, D. James Nokes1,3, Charles N. Agoti 1,4 and George Githinji1,5, *
Introduction
The Beta variant of concern was first detected on 26th June 2020 in South Africa and the first genomic detection was reported on 15th December 2020 in Kenya 1. In Kenya, the Beta VOC was in high transmission early in the third wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections and was replaced over time by the more transmissible Alpha and Delta variants 2–5. The last genomic report of Beta variant was from a case that was tested on 30th July 2021 from the Rift Valley region 1,3. Recently, we detected a Beta-like variant from a single sample collected at Kilifi County Hospital in coastal Kenya during routine surveillance. This report highlights the characteristics of this Beta variant that was collected on 29th September 2022. The participant had a history of fever, cough, and runny nose at the time of presenting to the health facility with no history of international travel two weeks before sample collection. The sample was collected at an outpatient clinic with no follow-ups post-discharge.
Arnold W. Lambisia1, *, Joyce U. Nyiro1, John M. Morobe1, Timothy N. Makori1, Leonard Ndwiga1, Maureen W. Mburu1, Edidah O. Moraa1, Jennifer Musyoki1, Nickson Murunga1, Philip Bejon1,2, Lynette Isabella Ochola-Oyier1,2, D. James Nokes1,3, Charles N. Agoti 1,4 and George Githinji1,5, *
Introduction
The Beta variant of concern was first detected on 26th June 2020 in South Africa and the first genomic detection was reported on 15th December 2020 in Kenya 1. In Kenya, the Beta VOC was in high transmission early in the third wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections and was replaced over time by the more transmissible Alpha and Delta variants 2–5. The last genomic report of Beta variant was from a case that was tested on 30th July 2021 from the Rift Valley region 1,3. Recently, we detected a Beta-like variant from a single sample collected at Kilifi County Hospital in coastal Kenya during routine surveillance. This report highlights the characteristics of this Beta variant that was collected on 29th September 2022. The participant had a history of fever, cough, and runny nose at the time of presenting to the health facility with no history of international travel two weeks before sample collection. The sample was collected at an outpatient clinic with no follow-ups post-discharge.
