36 teachers have so far succumbed to COVID-19, TSC says

Thirty-six teachers are among Kenyans who have succumbed to the coronavirus since the first case was reported in the country.

145 other teachers have visited hospitals in the last week seeking COVID-19 medication since the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) announced that the teachers medical insurance will cover COVID-19.

The latest statistics reveal that out of the 36 teachers who have so far succumbed to the coronavirus, 19 among them passed away in the month of November, 11 in October, 3 in September while a teacher died every month between June and August.

Minet Insurance that is contracted to provide insurance cover for teachers has recorded a surge in the number of teachers flocking hospital facilities to be tested or treated for COVID-19, a move that has been attributed to the announcement made last week by the Teachers Service Commission CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia that teachers were allowed to access hospitals and use their medical insurance cards for Covid-related complications.

Some 928 other teachers also lost their lives between October last year to date due to other medical complications.

As of Tuesday, November 24, the death toll from the virus had risen to 1,409 after  17 more patients succumbed to the disease. The total number of positive cases stood at 78,512 while the total recoveries were 52,709.

“It is now clear that our numbers have been rising at an alarming rate and just to jog your minds, the positivity rate has been fluctuating between 14% and 20%,” said Health CAS Dr. Mercy Mwangangi.

At the same time, 806 patients have recovered from the disease, 701 from the Home-Based Care Program, while 105 have been discharged from various hospitals. The total recoveries now stand at 52,709.