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Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
TWO Roman Catholic priests and a Form One pupil stationed at St Theresa High School in Makoni District last week died of Covid-19 related complications following an outbreak of the air-borne disease at the boarding institution.
The school, which belongs to the Roman Catholic Church, located about 65km on the outskirts of Rusape, in Makoni West constituency, became the first boarding school in Manicaland to suffer Covid-19 related deaths since the reopening of schools in September.
The female pupil was the first to contract the disease, and was transferred to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital where she tested positive.
The pupil (name withheld) died last week on Monday followed by the two priests, Father Arnold Maringe and Father Thomas Saina, who died on the same day at the provincial referral hospital on October 14, 2021.
Manicaland Provincial Education Director, Mr Edward Shumba, confirmed the death of the Form One pupil whose parents stay in Harare.
“I can confirm that the pupil in question fell ill, and was tested for Covid-19 at the mission hospital, and the results came out negative. However, her condition continued to deteriorate and she was referred to Rusape General Hospital for further management.
“Authorities at the hospital referred the girl to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital where further tests were conducted ,and the results confirmed that she was Covid-19 positive. She later died. I have already written a report to our head office regarding this sad development. As for the death of the two priests, I cannot confirm because I do not have an official report on what transpired,” said Mr Shumba.
Roman Catholic Mutare Diocese’s education secretary, Mr Lawrence Chibvuri was not immediately available for comment as he was not picking up calls.
The diocese vicar-general, Father Kelvin Nyakupanda, who is in-charge of priests, said the two succumbed to Covid-19 related complications last Thursday, putting to rest speculation that they had died of food poisoning.
Father Maringe died last Wednesday morning, before Father Saina breathed his last midday, plunging the St Theresa and the entire Catholic community in the province into deep mourning.
The two priests were buried at Triashill Mission on Monday under strict Covid-19 protocols.
“Yes, it is true they died of Covid-19 related complications. The events were so tragic and painful,” said Father Nyakupanda.
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