Norest Kumbirai Beta

Mrs. Norest Kumbirai Beta


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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12 November 2026 in Preprints.org
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Preprint
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GKGamuchirai Mary Kavhumbura
Gamuchirai Mary Kavhumbura
PGPatricia Tapiwa Gundidza
Patricia Tapiwa Gundidza
MGMargaret Gurumani
Margaret Gurumani
NBNorest Kumbirai Beta
Norest Kumbirai Beta
VKVinie Kouamou
Vinie Kouamou
AMAzure Tariro Makadzange
Azure Tariro Makadzange
Background/Objectives: Influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cause overlapping respiratory illness, but Zimbabwean adult multipathogen data remain limited. We described influenza and RSV detection and co-detection with SARS-CoV-2 among adults enrolled in the ZIMCOVVAR study. Methods: This retrospective sub-study included nasopharyngeal specimens from adults with acute respiratory illness recruited in six Zimbabwean provinces during 2022-2023. Following exclusion of duplicate and unlinked records, 1,429 participants were analyzed. Influenza A, influenza B, and RSV were tested by multiplex real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR); recorded target cycle thresholds (Ct) ≤30 were provisionally classified as signals. Valid target-specific denominators remained unresolved. Proportions, confidence intervals, monthly patterns, and associations with SARS-CoV-2 status were examined. Results: The analytic cohort comprised 281 SARS-CoV-2-positive and 1,148 negative participants; median age was 35 years and 68.2% were female. Ct-defined influenza A, RSV, and influenza B signals occurred in 191/1,429 (13.4%), 53/1,429 (3.7%), and 2/1,429 (0.1%), respectively. Influenza A was recorded in 68/281 (24.2%) SARS-CoV-2-positive versus 123/1,148 (10.7%) negative participants. RSV was recorded in 3/281 (1.1%) versus 50/1,148 (4.4%), respectively. These are provisional signals per linked record, not valid-result positivity estimates; testing-group exclusion reversed the adjusted association. Conclusions: The selected adult cohort showed recorded influenza and RSV detections alongside SARS-CoV-2, supporting continued investigation of multiple respiratory pathogens in symptomatic adults. The findings require cautious interpretation because of nonrepresentative sampling and unresolved testing-group effects; quality-assured, multi-season surveillance is needed to inform local prevention planning.