Govt unveils measures to contain Covid-19 in schools

Harare (New Ziana)- Cabinet on Tuesday announced a raft of measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 in schools, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has said.

Addressing a post Cabinet briefing, Mutsvangwa said the number of COVID-19 cases went up during the week as a result of infections recorded by the education sector.

“This week the number of cases recorded went up to 1 669. The education sector contributed significantly to this increase.
” Government has, therefore, instituted the following measures to contain the COVID-19 surge in schools: enhancement of surveillance and contact-tracing at schools and in the surrounding communities; increasing on-site COVID-19 testing of all suspected cases, contacts and surrounding communities, isolation and management of all COVID-19-positive cases and quarantining of those exposed,” she said.

Other measures include restriction of movement into and out of the affected schools until the outbreaks have been controlled; enhancement of public health and social protocols, including social distancing, hand washing, sanitization and wearing of face masks; empowering teachers to detect and report suspected cases and vaccination of all eligible populations in schools and surrounding communities.

Mutsvangwa said Cabinet noted that out of a total school enrolment of 4.6 million, the number of COVID-19-positive cases detected was insignificant.

“All cases are being well-managed in line with the Standard Guidelines for the Coordinated Prevention and Management of COVID-19 at All Learning Institutions in Zimbabwe. Furthermore, most cases among learners are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms.

” Accordingly, Cabinet resolved that schools will remain open. Learners who are isolated will be provided with alternative learning platforms,” she said.

As of 20 September 2021, Zimbabwe’s cumulative COVID-19 cases stood at 127 938, with 120 946 recoveries and 4 567 deaths.
New Ziana