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Walter Nyamukondiwa

Kariba Bureau

THE testing of returnees from neighbouring countries at Vuti Quarantine Centre in Hurungwe has resumed after it had been suspended due to the unavailability of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test kits.

Five of the returnees had completed their mandatory quarantine and awaited the final test before they could be released to go home.

The quarantine centre is at Vuti Secondary School, Hurungwe District, along the Harare-Chirundu Highway

They had only been tested using the rapid diagnostic test kits and were awaiting final tests before being released.

A total of 134 people have been tested at the centre which has so far received 131 returnees since being set up in April.

The returnees are from Zambia (114), the Democratic Republic of Congo (7) and South Africa (4), with more expected this week.

Hurungwe district medical officer, Dr Frankson Masiye, confirmed that testing had resumed after the centre received test kits last week.

“We have so far tested 31 people at Vuti quarantine centre after getting the test kits last week,” he said. “Of the people tested, five were due to be released and that will be done once the results return tomorrow (today) or Thursday.”

Zambia has the highest number of returnees owing to its proximity and trade with Zimbabwe.

Vuti centre has 36 people, including 31 adults (16 females and 15 males) and five children. At least 18 people have so far been transferred to other centres and provinces while four escaped.

Pressure at the centre is expected to be eased when the Kariba quarantine centre becomes operational as final touches are being made.