Coronavirus Ravages Matabeleland Schools
Several schools in the Matabeleland region have reported a worrying number of new coronavirus infections since schools reopened on 15 March.
Sacred Heart schools in Umzingwane District, Girls College and Mzilikazi Primary School in Bulawayo are among those hit by the latest outbreak.
51 COVID-19 cases were reported at Sacred Heart primary and secondary schools. 45 of the pupils that tested positive are boarders while four are day-scholars and the other two cases are staff members.
At Mzilikazi Primary School, eight teachers are said to have tested positive leading to Government to initiate contact tracing.
Primary and Secondary Education Ministry communication and advocacy director Taungana Ndoro told State media that about 10 schools across the country have recorded new coronavirus infections. Said Ndoro:
Across the country, we have recorded roughly around 10 schools that have recorded Covid-19 cases this term.
Matabeleland region has been the worst hit but in other schools, they are recording probably a case each.
At the moment I’m waiting for a report of the cases that have been recorded across our schools.
Prince Edward High School in Harare and Dove Secondary School in Mberengwa are some of the schools that have recorded COVID-19 cases outside the Matabeleland region.
Last year, about 500 pupils were infected with COVID-19 at various schools — including John Tallach in Bulawayo and Chinhoyi High School in Mashonaland West.
