Hileni Mwandingi
GOBABIS – The Omaheke education directorate has assured the public that the situation at the Epako High School where a number of learners tested positive for Covid-19 is under control.
Education director Pekka Semba, in a brief interview on Friday, said pupils who tested positive are being isolated at the hostel dormitories, while day learners are isolating at home, as per the advice of the health authorities. He added parents and guardians were also duly informed of these measures.
The school is still waiting for a few results of those who were in contact with the infected learners and staff. Semba stressed the situation is manageable and not really bad. According to him, the ministry has made all the necessary arrangements and has put everything in place to ensure affected learners don’t miss their examination due to the outbreak.
Approached for comment, the regional chief medical officer Dr Leonard Kabongo confirmed a total number of 16 learners, four teachers and a matron contracted the virus.
Kabongo added the school was briefly closed for targeted testing and contact tracing.
He further stated a social worker has been providing counselling to the learners. This is by far the hardest hit school in Omaheke where a number of learners tested positive to Covid-19.