The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
SCHOOLS in Manicaland are grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic with private institution, Hillbright Group of Schools on Tuesday recording a total of 31 cases.
As of Wednesday, Manicaland had 1 878 active cases of Covid-19.
Acting Manicaland Provincial Education Director, Mr Richard Gabaza said schools in Mutare District are the most affected in the province.
“In Chipinge, Chimanimani and Buhera districts, we have no reported cases. We have isolated cases affecting mainly teachers for example, at Dumbamwe Secondary School in Makoni District, where two female teachers were affected.
“In Mutasa District, we have Zambe Secondary School where four female teachers were affected. However in Mutare District we have more cases. At Chancellor Junior School in Mutare Urban, we have two male and three female pupils who tested positive. At Murahwa Primary School, two teachers tested positive.
“At Muradzikwa Primary School, one female teacher tested positive. However, at Hillbright College we have 31 cases of one male teacher and 30 pupils,” he said.
However, Mr Gabaza said the situation is generally under control.
“The situation is generally under control in our schools. Even those who tested positive at Hillbright College are receiving the necessary medical attention while in isolation,” Mr Gabaza said.
Hillbright Group of Schools chief servant, Mr Pardon Mugari said: “The standard procedure at our school is that when pupils are not feeling well, they are taken to the hospital and if need be, they are quarantined as a matter of precaution. We take the pupils’ safety seriously.
“Our first Covid-19 case was recorded last week on Friday. An asthmatic pupil was not well and was taken to the clinic. At the clinic, the nurse who attended to the pupil insisted on him being tested for Covid-19 although he did not show apparent signs of Covid-19. The pupil was taken back to the school for isolation and the concerned parents were notified.
“Health officials were also notified that same night. As a result, all pupils and resident staff members were tested last week on Saturday. Negative and positive students were separated.
“The school took all the necessary measures to manage the situation and there was no attempt to conceal the cases as the parents, health officials and Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education officials were notified.
“All the pupils are well and due to their age, they are largely asymptomatic. A total of 30 pupils and one staff member tested positive and they are in isolation at the school.”
Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu this week said schools will remain open until December 17 as previously announced as the outbreak of Covid-19 in learning institutions is under control.
Said Dr Ndlovu: “Yes, we have recorded cases in schools, but we have managed to contain them and schools will continue as earlier announced. Children are actually in the middle of exams as we speak”.
A few weeks ago, Government started vaccinating teenagers aged 16 and 17 against Covid-19 as it seeks to attain herd immunity.
