Police station closed after three officers test positive for Covid-19

Officers who tested negative will remain in isolation for 14 days. [Courtesy]

A police station in Vihiga County has been closed after three officers tested positive for Covid-19.

Locals seeking services at Embali Police Station in Buyangu, Emuhaya sub-county, are now been referred to Emakakhaya Police Station.

Emuhaya Police Commander Reuben Kemboi told journalists yesterday that the police station will remain closed for 14 days and would only be reopened on recommendations from the Ministry of Health.

“When we conducted tests on all the officers at the station after some of the exhibited Covid-19 symptoms, three of them tested positive to the virus and have been placed under home-based care,” said Kemboi.

Kemboi said the other officers who had tested negative will remain in isolation for 14 days before undergoing another test to ascertain their status before being allowed to report back on duty.

“All suspects we had in our cells have been transferred to Emakakha as we don’t want to risk their lives. Offenders who will be arrested will be booked at the same station until the situation normalises,” said Kemboi.

This comes as 13 counties within the Lake Region Economic Bloc have witnessed increased Covid-19 infections.

According to Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, the bloc's chairman, medical facilities across the 13 counties have been overstretched following a spike in coronavirus infections.

Oparanya welcomed the reviewed strict Covid-19 measures announced by Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe on Thursday last week.