GWANDA – The Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic in Gwanda has suspended face-to-face lessons indefinitely after two lecturers, two students and a member of the administration staff tested positive for the coronavirus.

The college advised students over the weekend not to attend lectures until further notice as the college would be fumigated after a lecturer collapsed during lessons last week.

Two other cases were also reported in the mining town – a supermarket worker and a church minister.

In a notice Tuesday, Dr Ngoni Moyo, the college principal, advised all teacher and technical education students to stay home forthwith.

He wrote: “You are hereby notified that the suspension of face-to-face lectures shall remain in place until further notice. Thus, you should not come to college until you are advised to do so through the students affairs office. The heads of divisions shall advise you on arrangements for your academic work.”

Matabeleland South province has seen a surge in Covid-19 cases since the beginning of the month with active cases rising from 10 to 40 within the past five days.

Gwanda District Development acting director Thulani Moyo last week warned the outbreak could be disastrous.

“We need to revive and rejuvenate our intervention activities and structures,” he said.

The virus has killed 255 Zimbabweans and infected at least 8,610 others.