MINISTRY of Health and Child Care Matebeleland Acting Provincial Medical Director (PMD), Dr Andrew Muza said some semblance of normalcy had returned to Sacred Heart and Embakwe Mission schools in the province which were hit by COVID-19 in the past few weeks.
By Patricia Mashiri
The schools started recording increased COVID-19 cases soon after the Easter holidays which saw some learners and school stuff being put in isolation.
The province reported over 400 cases of COVID-19 at Sacred heart Schools and Embakwe Mission. All the students and members of staff are currently well and have been discharged from isolation,” Dr Muza said.
He also added that they have embarked on a widespread vaccination program in the areas that surround the two schools and the response from the communities has been overwhelming.
“We have also vaccinated 500 people in the communities that surround these schools. We have also embarked on a massive vaccination in the border towns,” Dr Muza said.
Meanwhile, they are working closely with the government in trying to construct and equip isolation centres in Plumtree, Gwanda and Beitbridge since they are border towns they are more likely to have a high prevalence of the deadly disease compared to other towns.
“Some of the things that the Ministry is working on in anticipation of a third wave include a thorough preparation of our isolation centres, construction of intensive care units. We are also going to continue educating people on the disease,” Dr Muza said.
Sacred Heart, Embakwe and St David of Bonda Mission were part of the schools which recorded cases of COVID-19 when schools were opened in 2021. Cases have since dropped with the recovery rate standing on 93%, active cases gone down to 972 as of 5 May 2021.
The cumulative number for the people that have received their first dose of vaccine is 461 023 and the ones who have received their second dose is 115 210.
