Chronicle Editor
Angela Sibanda, Chronicle Reporter
RISING Covid-19 cases are threatening end of semester examinations at the Lupane State University.
This comes after 50 students from the university have been quarantined after testing positive to the deadly pandemic on Sunday.
The students are part of the group that are writing the end of semester examinations.
They tested positive when the university conducted mandatory testing of all returning students.
This comes at a time when the country has started recording a spike in Covid-19 infections amid fears of the new infections related to the new Omicron variant.
The country has been recording low figures until last Thursday when new infections breached the 1 000 mark.
LSU communications and marketing director Mr Zwelithini Dlamini confirmed the development.
“The students were tested when they returned to the university for the end of semester examinations and 50 tested positive. The testing is ongoing as the students are still coming in,” said Mr Dlamini.
He said the students were quarantined in hostels within the institution.
Mr Dlamini also said if cases continue to rise, the institution might consider suspending the examinations.
“The management and the Ministry of Health and Child Care officials are monitoring the situation but if cases continue to increase, we might be forced to close,” said Mr Dlamini.
On Sunday, Zimbabwe recorded a total of 523 new cases and one Covid-19 related death.
Health experts have warned citizens against complacency in the wake of a spike in Covid-19 cases.
The country is under threat of a Covid-19 fourth wave and the Omicron variant has seen the Government tightening prevention measures.
Last Tuesday, President Mnangagwa announced tightened lockdown measures including new curfew hours which are from 9PM to 6AM curfew.
Government has also introduced a Covid-19 booster shot for frontline workers, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses to increase their immunity against the virus. Health experts have blamed the rising Covid-19 cases to complacency among citizens who are disregarding Covid-19 prevention measures.
To combat the Covid-19 pandemic, citizens have been urged to get vaccinated for the country to achieve herd immunity by the end of this month.
The country is targeting to vaccinate at least 10 million citizens but some citizens are reluctant to be vaccinated.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care approved the vaccination of teenagers aged 16 and 17 years but many are said to be also reluctant to be vaccinated.
Online Reporter