HARARE – Three National University of Science and Technology (NUST) students tested positive for the coronavirus on May 29, ZimLive has learnt.
The three are originally from Mutare, Zvishavane and Nkulumane suburb in Bulawayo, sources said. It is believed they were tested as contacts of an active case.
The three positive tests, which were not announced until May 30, will raise fresh questions about government plans to re-open universities and schools this winter, after they were forced to prematurely close in March.
Universities are re-opening in phases starting next week. NUST, located in Bulawayo, is re-opening on June 8 for final year students from the faculties of Applied Science; Commerce; Engineering and The Built Environment.
NUST’s acting director of communications Thabani Mpofu declined to answer questions about the three students, referring questions to health authorities.
Dr Welcome Mlilo, the provincial medical director for Bulawayo, said: “I can confirm that we had three positive tests on May 29, but I’m bound by patient confidentiality not to discuss their locations and other specifics that can lead to their identification. We have had cases where patients have been identified leading to some unsavoury public lynching, and that’s not helpful.”
Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Professor Amon Murwira said he had not been briefed about the three cases, but insisted that universities would still re-open as scheduled.
“If they tested positive as you say, it means they’re now in isolation and cannot attend lectures. They therefore pose no threat to other students,” said Prof Murwira, who also noted that NUST students leave off-campus.
It may not be feasible to test all students before universities re-open, Murwira said, as he insisted that safety precautions recommended by the World Health Organisation would be followed.
“We’re talking here about regularly sanitising their hands, observing social distancing, wearing masks as well as having their temperature checked before lectures. Anyone with a higher than normal temperature will immediately be taken for testing,” Murwira said.
Zimbabwe had 203 coronavirus cases on Monday, including four deaths and 29 recoveries. Health experts fear the winter season could herald a spike in cases, overwhelming the country’s stretched health facilities.
Teachers are resisting government plans to re-open schools later this month, starting with final year classes in Grade 7, Form 4 and Upper Sixth. The government says no firm date has been set for the schools opening, as planning continues into ensuring a safe learning environment.
“We want schools to open, but what stops us is that we don’t have the minimum standards to ensure schools are safe. For now, schools aren’t safe and home is safe,” Richard Gundane, the president of the largest teachers’ union ZIMTA told parliament on Monday.
“We need to set up programmes where all stakeholders are involved in response to Covid-19 to ensure learners, workers and teachers are safe according to the World Health Organisation regulations.”
