Seroprevalence of anti–SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in Kenyan blood donors

TLDR

Kenya reported only about 20,000 cases and 341 deaths by July 2020, far fewer than high‑income countries, indicating that true community spread was likely much higher. Among Kenyan blood donors, seroprevalence was 4.3% (peaking in 35‑44 year olds), and the low mortality is partly due to a young population, keeping hospitals from being overwhelmed, though lockdowns have increased maternal and child deaths from disrupted services. Uyoga et al., *Science*, issue p.

Abstract

Pandemic progress in Kenya By the end of July 2020, Kenya had reported only 341 deaths and ∼20,000 cases of COVID-19. This is in marked contrast to the tens of thousands of deaths reported in many higher-income countries. The true extent of COVID-19 in the community was unknown and likely to be higher than reports indicated. Uyoga et al. found an overall seroprevalence among blood donors of 4.3%, peaking in 35- to 44-year-old individuals (see the Perspective by Maeda and Nkengasong). The low mortality can be partly explained by the steep demographics in Kenya, where less than 4% of the population is 65 or older. These circumstances combine to result in Kenyan hospitals not currently being overwhelmed by patients with respiratory distress. However, the imposition of a strict lockdown in this country has shifted the disease burden to maternal and child deaths as a result of disruption to essential medical services. Science , this issue p. 79 ; see also p. 27