11 students have tested positive for Covid-19 at Friends School Kamusinga in Bungoma County. 6 more cases were also recorded at Kimilili Boys High School in the same county bringing the total number of cases to 17 in both schools. The Daily Nation was first to report the outbreak on Friday, October 30. The students were put under isolation to curb the spread of the virus as health officials initiated contact tracing too within the schools.
“Parents have been calling while others have been here to check on their children. “We are doing our best to ensure students don’t flout ministry of health directives on social distancing, sanitizing, wearing masks and washing hands regularly,” a teacher at the school stated while speaking with the local daily. The teacher added that the school may be closed for two weeks to allow the health officials to fumigate the institution.
Webuye County Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Simon Kisaka concurred with the teacher and called for the immediate closure of the two schools. The county is facing a shortage of medics after some of the staff was reportedly put under quarantine after testing positive. 28 patients were also admitted at the facility. Two teachers succumbed to Covid-19. One in Tononoka, Mombasa, and the other in Nakuru. As of October 28, 2020, Education Principal Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang announced that 17 students and 33 teachers had tested positive for Covid-19 since schools reopened two weeks ago. Two schools were also closed down.Education CS George Magoha stated that he won’t close schools despite the Covid-19 cases rising. The Ministry is also working on recalling all other students to join Grade 4, Class 8, and Form 4 students in schools. Health CS Kagwe gave the green light for mass reopening.
