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| Dr Sibanda |
Due to old age, the deceased is said to have not travelled
much but his contacts live in both Eastern and Western suburbs of Bulawayo.
Among them is a network that includes 13 medical staffers
at Mater Dei Hospital, colleagues and workers at Qalisa Retirement Village in
Suburbs.
The deceased was cremated on Wednesday at Bulawayo
Crematorium at West Park Cemetery after he was posthumously confirmed to have
died of Covid-19 on Tuesday.
Health authorities’ say delays in confirming that he had
Covid-19 were caused by centralised testing done in Harare, although processes
have started to ensure that the National University of Science and Technology
(Nust)’s Applied Genetic Testing Centre (AGTC), in connection with Mpilo
Central Hospital, conduct local tests.
Contact tracing has also started in Matabeleland North
province as he visited Ganda Lodge which is located inside Hwange National Park
where he is alleged to have met some tourists between March 14 and 16.
Qalisa Retirement Village where he stayed has been put on
lockdown with no one coming in or going out.
In an interview, Bulawayo City Council (BCC) health
services director Dr Edwin Sibanda said they were leaving no stone unturned in
tracing those he got into contact with, so that they are also tested.
“We have 47 people who are potential contacts and we are
still following up on them and samples are being taken for those who fit the
criteria,” said Dr Sibanda.
He said there is a huge possibility for Bulawayo to record
positive cases linked to the 79-year-old man as has been the scenario with
Harare cases.
“This is what happened in Harare where we had case number
four or five which also could be traced to case number three. So, we don’t know
whether we would have more cases or less. But I think we may pick one or two
cases in the process,” said Dr Sibanda.
He said in contact tracing, members of the public need to
be honest because critical contacts who may be at risk of contracting and
spreading the virus may be left out.
Dr Sibanda said the deceased did not travel to many places
upon returning from Hwange but his contacts are the ones who could spread the
virus.
“He was an elderly man he needed some assistance. Someone
must have done some house chores for him and those people are likely to be
contacts. He was in hospital; there were people who nursed him, maybe even
bathed or fed him. So, these people are more of contacts than anyone else. We
need to know all of them and all of us become honest and tell the truth, hopefully
we will catch more people and halt the spread,” said Dr Sibanda.
He said more than ever the public needs to comply with
lockdown regulations.
Matabeleland North provincial medical officer Dr Purgie
Chimbengerengwa said a team is on the ground contact tracing after the old
man’s death.
“The team is working on the ground. We will furnish more
details. It has been 24 days today after the gentleman left Ganda Lodge. Time
lag is thus a challenge in effective contact listing. We will give you details
when we have more details. Kindly allow us to follow through our processes,”
said Dr Chimbengerengwa.
Hwange District medical officer Dr Fungayi Mvura said the
deceased did not meet a lot of people but could not immediately give figures.
She said the district was diligently following up on people
who might have been in contact with the deceased.
“The victim was at a lodge at Hwange National Park. He was
never in the town. So, we are conducting contact tracing. He was in Hwange more
than 21 days ago. So far there is no one with any (Covid-19) symptomic signs,”
said Dr Mvura.
She said lodges and hotels in the district have since been
closed in line with lockdown measures.
In a statement yesterday, Mater Dei Hospital assured the
public that all necessary procedures were taken to ensure that staff and
patients were not exposed to Covid-19 in
line with national guidelines.
It said prior to handling the first Covid-19 case in
Bulawayo, the hospital was working to establish a standalone unit to handle
suspected cases.
“The measures include providing suitable personal
protective equipment and support for the medical staff who would come to
contact with the patients,” read the statement.
“The public may be assured that the appropriate protocols
were followed, and that all sanitising procedures have taken place under the
auspices of the Government Rapid
Reaction Team.”
The hospital said it understands the fear and anxiety the
Covid-19 case caused to the people of Bulawayo but assured them that all
necessary procedures to prevent the spread of the virus from hospital have been
taken.
“The 13 staff members who attended the case are under
self-quarantine from work. However, the hospital is reviewing preparedness
based on lessons learnt from this unfortunate incidence. The hospital is taking
all appropriate measures to protect their valuable staff during this time and
PPE is available as required for staff,” read the statement. Chronicle
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