VERE Technical High School has been plunged into mourning following the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV)-related deaths of two teachers and a student within two days.

The Ministry of Education yesterday reported that Shamari Salesman, a fifth-form student at the Clarendon-based school died on Wednesday after showing symptoms of CHIKV. The 15-year-old is said to have developed complications due to an existing tumour in the brain.

Person Toranty, a physics teacher, died later that day after experiencing symptoms associated with the virus. He is believed to have developed complications related to sickle cells disease.

English teacher Claudette Anderson-Hibbert died yesterday morning in the Mandeville Hospital, also from complications related to CHIKV and an existing kidney problem.

“We are so devastated, the staff and also the students alike,” Principal Henritta Stewart told the Jamaica Observer.

She explained that other guidance counsellors from various schools in the area, and religious leaders have been visiting with staff and students.

Meanwhile, the education ministry said it has joined the school community in mourning the death of the three.

“The ministry’s regional trauma team visited the institution yesterday to provide grief counselling and general support to the school family,” the ministry said in a release issued to the media yesterday.

Reacting to news of the deaths, Education Minister Rev Ronald Thwaites expressed sadness at the tragedy. He pointed out that these deaths bring to six the total number of people who have reportedly died from complications related to the virus. He also expressed condolences to all the bereaved families.

Earlier this week, Tracey-Ann Campbell, a third year English student at Shortwood Teachers’ College, died while being treated by doctors at the institution.

A sixth-form student of Camperdown High School in Kingston and a 14-year-old from St Jago High School in St Catherine died last month after presenting with CHIKV-related symptoms.