A Kwekwe Polytechnic lecturer has succumbed to COVID-19 prompting the Kwekwe District Taskforce on Covid-19 to consider suspending lectures at the learning institution.
Cases at the institution, whose term was supposed to end on July 30 have risen to 48 with 18 new cases recorded on Tuesday.
Chairperson of the district task force, Mr Vitalis Kwashira confirmed the death of the lecturer adding that they had recommended that the institution be closed to allow proper management of the cases. He said:
_We have written to the relevant departments and we also recommended that the college be temporarily closed so that we can be able to conduct contact tracing. The idea is that if we close down the place, we are able to isolate those who tested positive at the institution. It is almost impossible to manage the situation if lessons are being conducted._
_As it is, it’s like we are seeding the virus if we let the institution open because most of the students go to their places of residence in the community whilst some learn from their homes. This is a recommendation we are still awaiting confirmation._
He said the results of the tests to determine which variant claimed the lecturer’s life were still being processed.
Kwekwe Polytechnic Principal, Mr Evans Musara said the situation is not that good at the institution adding “our lives are at risk and I think relevant authorities will guide us with the best way forward.”
He said the closure of the college was prudent as it will allow fumigation of the area and help curb the spread of the virus from and into the community.
Kwekwe has been under a localised lockdown since May after the detection of the Indian variant and the cabinet on Tuesday extended the lockdown by a further two weeks.
The town has 179 active cases and 21 deaths and a cumulative 487 positive cases.
More: Pindula News; Chronicle