The directorates of health and education in the Kavango West Region will set up isolation centres at two schools in the region to isolate learners who test positive for COVID-19. The decision was taken at a meeting by the two directorates on Tuesday after 15 learners tested positive for COVID-19 at the Kandjimi Murangi Secondary School on Monday, which led to a 10-day temporary closure of the school. Kavango West Education Director Teopolina Hamutumua on Wednesday told NAMPA the meeting by the two directorates to devise strategies on how to curb COVID-19 at schools in the region suggested that two unused structures at Kandjimi and Leevi Hakusembe Secondary School be turned into isolation centres. She said the structures will be renovated and fitted with beds by next week, with the centre at Kandjimi Murangi to accommodate the boys while girls will be accommodated at the Leevi Hakusembe Secondary School centre. Asked if the decision will not put other learners and the teaching staff at risk, the director gave her assurance that protocols will be followed. Hamutumua further said nurses will visit the isolation centres daily to monitor the well-being of the learners as they are currently only displaying mild symptoms. “Should the conditions of the learners deteriorate, that is when they will be moved to the Nkurenkuru isolation centre of the Ministry of Health,” explained the director. She went on to say that meanwhile, the learners of Kandjimi Murangi are being provided with learning materials to learn from home until the period of 10 days has elapsed. A senior medical officer at Nankudu District Hospital in Kavango West, Dr Glennson Haihambo, said among the 15 learners who tested positive, one is in a moderate condition and was put in an isolation facility while the rest of the learners are in isolation at the school hostel. The regional health director, Timea Ngwira, also confirmed the suggestions from the meeting on Wednesday, noting that the ministry is there to advise further if needed. -NAMPA