Kenya Has Lost 36 Teachers To COVID-19 Since Outbreak

According to the Teacher’s Service Commission, the country has lost Thirty-six teachers to the COVID_19 virus since the first case was reported.

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

The latest statistics reveal that out of the 36 teachers who have so far succumbed to the COVID_19 among them passed away in the month of November, 11 on October, 3 in September while a teacher died every month between June and August.

Earlier the previous week, the association of secondary school headteachers in Kenya said at least 13 principals have died as a result of Covid-19 since the phased reopening of schools.

In October, Star of the Sea Primary School and Tononoka High school in Mombasa county was allegedly shut down estimated 11 teachers from both schools had allegedly tested positive for the virus.

Other reports also indicate that some 928 other teachers also lost their lives between October last year to date due to other medical complications but not COVID_19.

Following the increasing rate of COVID_19 cases amongst teachers according to Minet Insurance, the TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia made an announcement that teachers were allowed to access hospitals and use their medical insurance cards for COVID_19-related complications.

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) also asked all teachers who fall under the high-risk age of 58 and above to work from home as a measure to reduce their high chances of contracting the COVID-19 virus.

TSC also announced that all COVID-19 ailments are fully covered under the teachers’ medical scheme. “The commission has negotiated with the teachers’ medical provider, for teachers to be covered for all Covid-19 related illnesses,” said Macharia.

Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) data shows that the country has at least 50,000 teachers aged 55 years or above and these must be protected by their employers.

Meanwhile, On November 25th, 810 people tested positive for Covid-19, from a sample size of 7,387 tested in 24 hours, bringing to 79,322 the number of confirmed positive cases in Kenya. From the cases, 792 are Kenyans while 18 are foreigners.