10 more cases of COVID-19 at Maranda, parents urged not to worry

The number of COVID-19 cases at Maranda High School has reached 11.

This is after 10 more cases were discovered from 28 samples that were collected during targeted testing on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Health conducted the tests after one student tested positive at the school last weekend.

According to Siaya County’s Executive Committee member for Health Dismus Wakla, the ten new cases comprise of both students and staff.

The County’s department of Education has however assured parents that there is no cause of worry as the situation is under control.

Siaya County Director of Education Joseph Wamocho noted that they are working in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to ensure safety of learners in all the institutions across the County.

Mr. Wamocho revealed that so far 3 schools in Siaya county have recorded one coronavirus case each.

They include one primary school.

He noted that the index cases in each of the institutions have been admitted to isolation centers within the county.

Mr. Wamocho also stated that they are fumigation the schools to ensure strict adherence to the stipulated guidelines from the Health Ministry.

33 teachers, 30 students and 7 non-teaching staff have contracted the virus across the country.

However, Education CS George Magoha told the press on Friday that schools will not be closed despite surge in new infections.

Prof. Magoha said the safety of the learners will inform the next steps.

“What we are grappling with is do we open for the other children or not, Nobody wants our children to stay home forever, it’s a collective responsibility that must be made by parents teachers, stakeholders,” Prof Magoha stated.

The government is dismissing talk of the possible closure of learning institutions instead of asking candidates to prepare for their exams.

“The examination timetable there are no changes because like I said we are not planning, for now, to shut down because of COVID-19, if that time comes we will tell you,” Prof. Magoha said.

“The public don’t need to worry that even the children who have been found with  COVID-19, the government is fully in control, some schools have been closed for 14 days, my ministry, Interior and health, and we are working to ensure the children get the best ,”he added.