This archive report was first published on 8 June 2020.
On Saturday, a 24-year-old teacher from Ober Boys High School in Homa Bay County tested positive for COVID-19, marking the county's fourth case.
The teacher had attended a meeting on May 19, chaired by the school principal, who later died of the virus on Monday.
According to Prof Richard Muga, the County Health Executive, the teacher could have been infected with the virus after meeting the principal, who was later buried in Siaya County.
Prof Muga explained that the principal had visited Oyugis Town in Rachuonyo South before returning to his home in Migori County, where he complained of not feeling well.
Despite seeking medical care at a local health facility in Migori, the principal's condition continued to deteriorate, and he was eventually transferred to a private hospital in Kisumu County, where he died before doctors could attend to him.
A close relative of the principal denied that the teacher died of COVID-19, claiming that he succumbed to malaria and typhoid.
However, Prof Muga confirmed that tests conducted on samples from the principal showed that he died of COVID-19.
As a result, all staff from Ober Boys who interacted with the principal were advised to self-quarantine, and contact tracing is ongoing within the community at Ober and in Oyugis Town.
Health officers are also undertaking a decontamination exercise through spraying of the school, houses, and surfaces, gates, and other premises around the school and at Mikayi Market.
