School closed after 28 pupils tested positive for COVID-19

School closed after 28 pupils tested positive for COVID-19

By Letwin Mubonesi

St Christopher Primary School in Gwanda has been shut down after 28 pupils tested positive to the COVID-19 virus early this week.

School head, Temuso Dube said the first case was detected on Friday last week and contact tracing saw more learners testing positive hence leading to the total shutdown of the institution.

“Following one case of a learner seen at the Gwanda Provincial Hospital on December 3, an investigation and subsequent contact tracing and testing was done at the school.

“The findings were as follows: number of contacts tested: 90, total positive cases: 28, total boarders positive: 17, total day scholars positive: 11 and positivity rate: 32%.

“Following these findings, the Health ministry recommends the following: isolation of all learners (boarders) who tested positive for 14 days in designated areas within the school hostels, self-isolation of day scholars at home for 14 days and quarantine of all learners at the school for 10 days at home and/in the hostels with effect from December 8,” he said.

The school head said despite the sporadic spread of this virus at the school, Grade 7 examination candidates should report and sit for the on-going examinations, adding that COVID-19 safety measures would be implemented, while private transport for candidates reporting for examinations would be ensured.

Matabeleland South provincial epidemiology and disease control officer, Andrew Muza also confirmed the incident.