TWO brothers who escaped from isolation at the National
Social Security Authority (Nssa) Hotel after testing positive for Covid-19 have
infected eight relatives in Madaulo, some 90km east of Beitbridge town.
The two were among 17 people who escaped from quarantine on
Friday last week after returning from South Africa.
So far authorities have located six of the escapees who
were quarantined with more than 250 others after they were all deported from
South Africa recently.
Over 1 000 people have been deported for violating
immigration laws in the neighbouring country.
Beitbridge District Medical Officer, Dr Lenos Samhere said
the eight people, all children who were infected by the deportees, are
asymptomatic and on self-isolation.
“We got a tip-off of some people who were said to be very
ill in that area. We then sent a rapid response team who upon arrival got news
about two men who had escaped from the Nssa hotel.
“Tests were then done on 18 family members and seven
children below 15 years tested positive for the condition. They are
asymptomatic and have been put on self-isolation. We will continue to monitor
their condition,” he said.
Dr Samhere said investigations were in progress around the
community to minimise new infections.
He said they were working with other stakeholders in the
Covid-19 taskforce to raise awareness on prevention and management of the
pandemic, especially in villages adjacent the Limpopo River.
So far over 60 people have absconded from the Nssa
quarantine since the start of the lockdown on March 30.
Police Officer Commanding Beitbridge, Chief Superintendent
Tichaona Nyongo told the Parliamentary Committee on Local Government recently
that there was a need to fence the local quarantine centre to minimise cases of
absconding by returnees.
“We have deployed within and outside the quarantine centre
but you will note that the place was not built for the current purpose. This
then requires an upgrading to make security water-tight,” he said.
Chief Supt Nyongo said they have often hit a brick wall
when tracing escapes as most registered under fake names and addresses.
Beitbridge Covid-19 taskforce chairperson, Mrs Sikhangeziwe
Mafu-Moyo said the hotel has seen off more than 4 000 people returning from
South Africa to date. Chronicle
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