Chronicle Editor
Nqobile Tshili/Mthabisi Tshuma, Chronicle Reporters
COVID-19 cases have increased to 221 at the Roman Catholic Church run Sacred Heart Primary School and its Secondary School which are both in Umzingwane District, Matabeleland South with Government saying the ability to detect active cases is proof that its containment systems are effective.
The two boarding schools have since been quarantined to prevent further spread of the virus.
The authorities from the two schools have been conducting massive Covid-19 tests since last Thursday when the first cases were detected.
In an interview yesterday, Matabeleland South provincial director for Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases Control Dr Andrew Muza said the schools have been quarantined to contain the spread of the virus.
“At Sacred Heart Primary School, we have 117 positive cases of which 99 are pupils while 18 are staff members. At Sacred Heart Secondary School, we have 114 positive cases of which 107 are pupils and seven are staff members,” said Dr Muza.
He said as part of measures to curb the spread of the pandemic, the movement of both teachers and pupils had been restricted.
“Those who test positive inside will be quarantined inside while those who test positive while outside will be isolated at their homes. We have also separated Covid-19 positive pupils from those who are negative and the isolation will be for 10 to 14 days,” said Dr Muza.
He said the number of positive cases was increasing as they tested more pupils and staff members.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema said the Covid-19 prevention systems that have been put in place in schools are effective hence the detection of cases.
“Since the outbreak of Covid-19 last year no child has died due to the pandemic. Each time there is a case, schools are able to detect it. This shows that our systems are good as we are following World Health Organisation (WHO) and Government health protocols. Schools are working closely with the Ministry of Health and Child Care on the management of Covid-19 cases,” said Minister Mathema.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education adopted the Standard Operating Procedures to manage Covid-19 cases in schools.
SOP guides learning institutions on what to do when they record Covid-19 infections and also guides schools on measures to contain the spread of the virus.
Under the guidelines schools are expected to limit the number of pupils per class to 35 to enable schools to enforce social distancing.
Non- examination classes are also not attending classes daily as a measure to prevent congestion while hugs and handshakes have been banned.
The measures have been hailed for the safe management of Covid-19 cases in schools.
Cabinet recently expressed satisfaction with Covid-19 management in schools as only 332 contracted the virus last year from 4,5 million learners.
Schools are encouraged to strictly adhere to SOP guidelines with pupils with flu-like symptoms not supposed to come to school until they recover. — @nqotshili/-@mthabisi_mthire
Online Reporter