Paul Nyathi

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care says that a Form Four pupil from Matopo High School who died over the weekend did not succumbed to the Covid-19.

The girl who presented Covid-19 like symptoms at school was rushed to Bulawayo on Friday and died on Saturday afternoon at her Nketa home.

Despite rumours that the girl had succumbed to the global pandemic, the ministry said the girl tested Covid-19 negative posthumously.

The development forced the school authorities to postpone the return of Form Three and Five pupils who were supposed to return to the school yesterday ahead of the reopening today.

Bulawayo acting provincial medical director Dr Welcome Mlilo said the girl did not die of a Covid-19 related illness.

“I can confirm that the pupil from Matopo High School in question did not die from a Covid-19 related illness. The Bulawayo City Rapid Response Team collaborating with physicians from United Bulawayo Hospitals have investigated this death and the Covid-19 test is negative.”

Meanwhile, highly placed sources have told ZimEye.com that an elderly member of the family also died with Covid-19 symptoms late on Saturday.

The family member reportedly lived in the same family home with the deceased student.

More details on the latest death in the family to follow.