Chinhoyi High School has been closed to non-examination day scholars by the Ministry of Health and Child Care after 57 students tested positive to Covid-19 on Monday.

Covid-19 positive and negative candidates will write examinations in separate rooms as a way of containing the virus.

The closure of the school follows recent outbreaks of the virus in schools in Zimbabwe. John Tallach School (174 cases), Matopo High (10 cases) and Prince Edward have had outbreaks of the virus.

The school has been sealed off to outside learners and examination candidates will only be allowed to enter the school’s premises under strict and rigorous monitoring from health officials.

At least 57 out of the 74 students tested positive after a 17-year-old female student had earlier tested positive for the disease.

The female student was taken to Mzari Clinic fir isolation where seven Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) students who recently tested positive are while the 57 students who are asymptotic are being isolated at the school.

Mashonaland West acting provincial medical director Dr Gift Masoja confirmed the decision and said the recommendation was arrived at after an inter-ministerial meeting was held at the school yesterday to determine the way forward.

“We resolved to cut the school from day scholars although examination candidates will be allowed. This however means, we will have to intensify our response. More nurses and environmental health officials will be stationed at the school to effect response and monitoring,” he said.