By Vumani Mthiyane
Two supermarkets in Gwanda, Bhadgaji and Mkoko supermarkets, were yesterday temporarily shut down after a staffer at one of the outlets tested positive for Covid-19, CITE has established.
The Gwanda Provincial Hospital, Acting Medical Superintendent Dr Blessing Gwarimbo confirmed the incident and said the patient is now under quarantine at the hospital.
“I can confirm the case of a male patient who tested positive to Covid-19.ย After showing some symptoms, his employer sent him to the hospital for testing where he underwent PCR testย and tested positive.ย He was immediately put atย theย isolationย centre here at Gwanda hospital,” saidย Drย Gwarimbo.ย ย
“Soon after receiving and confirming the case, we then tested all the workers from both supermarkets and their results will be out this afternoon.ย We then sanitised both supermarkets as a precautionary measure.ย Currently, we are tracing his contacts although there is a big challenge because there are a lot of people who frequent the supermarket.”
He added that they are suspecting a case of local transmission since the patient has no known history of travelling outside Gwanda.
The acting District Development Coordinator Thulani Moyo who is leading the local Covid-19 Taskforce also confirmed the case.
“We recorded a positive Covid 19 result yesterday at Gwanda hospital isolation Centre.
Therefore there is need to revive and rejuvenate our intervention activities and structures. This looks like from local transmission from within communities,” said Moyo.
