Africa-Press – Mozambique. Songo Polytechnic [Instituto Superior Politécnico de Songo], a public higher education institution in Songo, Cahora Bassa district, Tete province, has suspended face-to-face classes for a period of 32 days, starting on June 30, due to an outbreak of Covid-19 there.
An official source at the institution told Carta de Moçambique that, by Tuesday (July 6), the institution had recorded a total of 21 cases of the new coronavirus, of which 20 are students and one a professor. Of the infected students, 14 are male and six female. There are a further seven suspected cases.
According to the source, one of the students, who had respiratory problems related to asthma, had to be hospitalised, but health authorities discharged him on Monday.
The suspension of face classes took place in two stages, the management of the institute first interrupting classes for seven days (between 30 June and 7 July) after detecting one positive case. But the increases in cases prompted the decision to extend the suspension for 25 more days, to the 31st of July).
“During the period of suspension, classes will be held remotely, using electronic platforms in accordance with the instructions to be given by Course Directors,” reads a circular letter dated July 2, 2021, and signed by the general manager, António Madeira.
The board also recommended that students do not enter the polytechnic premises during the suspension period, as “the process of disinfection of the premises, classrooms and administrative blocks will be in progress”.
Students’ home also closed
In addition to suspending classes, the management board also decided to close the students residence with effect from last Monday, July 5th, leaving only students who are in isolation living there.
Between Sunday and Tuesday, the board undertook the transporting of students from Songo to Tete, with the aim of ensuring their safety when returning to their homes.
Carta has learned, however, that there was no mass testing of students, including those residing in student accommodation. An official source at the polytechnic said that the institution had followed health authority protocol and tested students who had contact with confirmed cases, as well as students who had symptoms of Covid-19.
Since mid-June last year, Tete province has witnessed an increasing number of Covid-19 cases, with a current total of 1,363 active cases, of which 21 are hospitalised. Just this Tuesday, health authorities announced another 262 new infections, two hospitalisations and one death due to Covid-19
Since the outbreak of Covid-19, Tete province has registered a total of 5,098 Covid-19 cases, of which 3,711 are deemed recovered, and 24 have lost their lives. Two hundred and five patients have passed through Covid-19 isolation centres in the province.
