Fatima High School Covid-19 cases rise to 131

• Published date: 22 September 2022
• Publication title: The Chronicle

The Chronicle Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Reporter SOME teachers at Fatima High School in Lupane district reportedly refused to be tested for Covid-19 following an outbreak of the virus at the school over the weekend that has seen the number of positive cases rising from six to 131. Medical authorities said the outbreak was institutional, not coming from outside and they have since quarantined the school to make sure no one comes in or goes out until the situation is back to normal. "We conducted a screening exercise at the institution which was over three days due to other school activities which prevented us from conducting the exercise in one day.

Everyone was screened except some teachers who refused to be tested. Our observations were that this is an institutional outbreak and as such we decided to quarantine the institution from interacting with the outside world.

"We hope within the next two weeks the situation would have normalised and we also hope that the school authorities will make sure the measurers we gave them as part of containing this outbreak will be religiously followed," said the Lupane District Medical Officer, Dr George Mutizira. The school headmaster, a Mr Moyo, however, is said to have attended a Matabeleland North boarding schools meeting held at Milton High School in Bulawayo on Monday.

Dr Mutizira said the figures were cumulative, starting at six cases initial to 12 then 18, 46 and 49, making it 131 positive cases. Contacted for comment, Matabeleland North Provincial Education Director, Mr Jabulani Mpofu confirmed the outbreak but expressed ignorance on the refusal by some teachers to be screened.

"It is true yes that there have been positive cases at the school but I have...