By Vumani Mthiyane
Health officials in Matabeleland South have launched investigations into the source of the Covid-19 outbreak at Sacred Heart schools in Esigodini after cases rose to 231 yesterday.
In an interview with CITE, the Matabeleland South Provincial Director for Epidemiology and Disease Control Dr Andrew Philip Muza said the schools have since been sealed off to contain the rising Covid-19 cases.
“So far we have reported a total of 231 cases as indicated in the national sitrep. These cases are from Sacred Heart Primary school with 117 and Sacred Heart high school with 114 cases. This is the latest as of late yesterday. All students and staff at the secondary have been tested and we are winding up the tests at the primary,” said Dr Muza.
“We currently don’t have severe cases and all positive individuals are in isolation. We are still investigating the source of the outbreak but we are looking at the possibility that some students might have come to school while having been infected or staff members may have introduced the infection. To manage the spread we have restricted movement in and out of the school. Positive patients are in isolation while they are monitored daily.”
He also added that contact tracing is being done even beyond the schools’ premises.
“Infection control measures are being strengthened and these include disinfection, hand washing among others. Health education is being given to students on how to prevent the virus from spreading. We are coordinating the response with other partners that we are working with us,” said Dr Muza.
