This archive report was first published on 20 April 2020.
On April 18, 2020, Homa Bay County recorded its first confirmed COVID-19 case, prompting a swift response from health officials and security teams.
As part of the efforts to contain the spread of the virus, more than 30 people have been put under quarantine at Homa Bay Town KMTC.
The suspects were tracked down by county health officials and security teams after it emerged that they had interacted with 'fake mourners' who had traveled from Nairobi with an empty coffin.
Confirming the incident, Homa Bay County Commissioner Yatich Kipkemei stated that the suspects have been quarantined at the facility and are awaiting testing at KEMRI in Kisumu.
Commissioner Kipkemei emphasized the importance of tracing all contacts of the victim and urged anyone who may have interacted with the 'fake mourners' to come forward for quarantine and testing.
He also revealed that two more persons suspected of sneaking into the county from Nairobi on Saturday evening are still being traced.
Commissioner Kipkemei stressed that the county will not allow anyone from Nairobi to enter the county, citing the need to prevent further cases from being transported into the area.
He appealed to residents to work closely with law enforcement agencies and health officials to report any suspected cases of COVID-19.
By Dan Oduor and Davis Langat
