As of 1st June 2020, Taita-Taveta County had reported a total of 11 confirmed cases of COVID-19 comprising of both local and imported cases from the neighbouring country. In the previous week, the country had reported an upsurge in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases. Taita Taveta being a border county, had a high-risk influx of COVID-19 cases from the neighbouring country. The high number of truck drivers crossing the border through Taita Taveta county posed a high risk of disease transmission. Voi, a town in the county, was also a major transit point from Mombasa; which had reported the second-highest number of positive cases in the country. The county also borders Kajiado County which at the time, had the 3rd highest number of confirmed cases in the country and also a major transit point for truck drivers.

The virus is highly contagious and therefore, so many cases and contacts were likely to be missed hence necessitating the need for enhanced active case search. Given the expected increase in the number of cases and contacts, there was need for additional epidemiological support to the county from the national government and other partners. A team from FELTP, comprising of 3 Advanced Level residents and the Field Coordinator, was deployed to provide this support to Taita Taveta County. The investigation was conducted between 3rd June 2020 and 13th June 2020.

Objectives of the activity:

• To support the county in active case search
• To support the county in conducting contact tracing
• To capacity build the County's Rapid Response Team
• To support the county team in COVID-19 data management

At the end of the activity, the Investigation and Response Team analysed their findings and came up with recommendations that were shared with the County Health Management Team, which is chaired by the County Director of Health.