15 December 2021
Lindie Dube
In the past week there has been a flu bug that has infected almost three people out of five coupled with a significant jump in the number of new Covid-19 infections driven by the highly muted Omicron variant.
The omicron variant is said to be more infectious than its predecessor, the Delta variant.
Information obtained from the Post Cabinet briefing states that,
“The total number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases reported through the school surveillance system increased to 1 526 compared to 1 086 the previous week…”
It is said been noted that some schools in and around Harare have closed or suspended in- person activities after detecting Covid-19 among pupils and staf members.
Seemingly, Bulawayo is therefore adopting the same strategy so as to try and curb the spread of virus and protect pupils who have not been vaccinated.
A source informed that all grade 7 teachers at Henry Low Primary School in Morningside, Bulawayo, are said to be ill either with Covid or the flu bug.
“Several pupils have not been attending school and there is a serious absenteeism at the school.” Continued the source refusing with her name.
Another source pointed to another private School in Nkulumane suburb of Bulawayo that parents were notified through letters that schools were closing earlier as pupils and teachers tested positive for the virus.
Petra Junior and Girls College are amongst schools that are reported to have closed as well.
Luckily most schools had completed their end of year examinations.
The Post Cabinet briefing has notified that,
“Areas that recorded the most significant number of new cases include Harare ( 8 363), Mashonaland East (3 546), Mashonaland West (2 992) and Bulawayo (2 670). There were no deaths reported. The cumulative total number of confirmed cases now stands at 5 711 with 4 893 learners and 818 staff members spread across 582 schools.
The figures from the Cabinet Briefing proves that the majority of pupils have the flu and without doubt many would test positive for Covid-19.
The infections on pupils is quiet scary since most those below the age of 16 have not vaccinated but only those who are 16 years and above are vaccinating.
It is for this reason that many schools have decided to call it quits for this term.