3 Murehwa boarding schools hit by Covid-19

Zim Now Writer

Three boarding schools in Mashonaland East Province have been hit by Covid-19, with 80 learners and teachers testing positive to the virus last week, a Ministry of Health and Child Care situational report has revealed.

This comes as schools have just opened for the first term and fears are growing that the learning institutions could become super spreaders of the virus.

The three schools which are all in Murehwa District are Murehwa High, Nhowe Mission and Hurungwe Primary have isolated the confirmed cases while surveillance tests have been intensified.

The Health ministry report said as of Saturday, at least 40 learners at Murehwa High School were in isolation while 32 cases were recorded at Nhowe Mission with three cases being reported at Hurungwe Primary School.

Two female teachers at Hurungwe Primary School tested positive to the virus.

Mashonaland East Provincial Medical Director Dr Paul Matsvimbo yesterday confirmed the development but added that the situation was under control.

“I confirm that there are Covid-19 cases at Nhowe Mission and Murewa High School. As for Hurungwe, I will check on the latest developments. The boarding schools have already implemented public health safety measures, that is, isolating those who tested positive among other measures.

“The situation is under control and all those who tested positive are stable and doing well. Our health officers are on the ground monitoring the situation,” Dr Matsvimbo said.

Covid-19 national co-ordinator in the Office of the President coordinator Dr Agnes Mahomva said it was not unusual to have cases reported in schools as the school surveillance system was strong and comprehensive.

“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, together with the Ministry of Health, implements this surveillance system very strictly. Cases which are normally identified in communities during the school holidays are, therefore, picked up by the school surveillance system once schools open.

“Government continues to urge all citizens to get vaccinated. Wear face masks properly indoors, in public transport vehicles and crowded places; avoid crowded gatherings as well as frequently wash hands with soap and running water and or sanitise,” Dr Mahomva said.

Ministry of Health and Child Care statistics for 21 January showed that Zimbabwe has so far recorded 261 553 positive cases of Covid-19 and 5 652 deaths since the onset of the pandemic in 2020.