Minister allays Covid-19 concerns
Number of coronavirus cases reaches 7 as Gauteng primary school closes for the day
HEALTH Minister Zweli Mkhize led a high-powered inter-ministerial delegation in a swift reaction to allay fears about the spread of coronavirus after the number of cases doubled.
Mkhize maintained that the country was on top of the situation when he announced another four confirmed cases yesterday, bringing the total to seven. The health minister’s assurances came hours after a Joburg primary school closed for the day owing to fears of the virus.
Yesterday, Grayston Preparatory School locked its gates and suspended classes after one of its female teachers was placed in quarantine for showing symptoms of Covid-19. The Sandton school believed it would be safer if the school closed its gates.
Gauteng Department of Education’s Steve Mabona confirmed the closure of the school but could not confirm the allegations regarding the teacher.
“As the department, we would like to confirm that Grayston Preparatory School has been closed for the day. The staff member in question will remain in self-imposed isolation for the quarantine period. At this stage, she remains asymptomatic and in good health,” he said.
Mabona said the department would carry out a deep-cleaning process of the school tomorrow and the school would re-open.
It is believed the Grayston teacher may have come into contact with one or more of a group of 10 people who recently returned from a skiing holiday in Italy where the virus is wreaking havoc.
National Institute for Communicable Diseases chairperson Dr Natalie Mayet confirmed that the teacher was yet to be tested but was in isolation.
Mkhize also confirmed that all seven confirmed cases of Covid-19 were from the group of 10 that travelled on holiday to Italy recently and arrived back through King Shaka International Airport.
He said the main focus was to track down people who had been in contact with those affected and get them tested.
Mkhize said the people affected were those who travelled to countries other than China. “We need to be more vigilant because the infection could come from any airline,” he said.
He added that the infection could become a local transmission. “Beyond one person that comes from outside, our people locally are the ones that are transmitting the infection,” Mkhize said.
Upon The Star’s arrival at the school, there were no children and parents in sight, but neighbouring pupils at other schools were shocked that the school was closed and had no idea why.
Keneilwe Monaise, who was accompanied by a friend, said they had come to the school to seek employment. “We actually came to look for jobs,” she said. Simphiwe Moloi said she passed the school every day to get to work and was stunned to see it quiet. “I know about the coronavirus situation but I didn’t know it had hit South Africa,” she said.
This is the second time a school has closed over fears of the spread of the coronavirus.
Last week, Cowan House Preparatory School in KwaZulu-Natal’s Midlands was closed after it was revealed that the children of the man who was the first to be diagnosed with the virus in the country attended the school.
Lancet Laboratories, in collaboration with the NICD, are offering Covid19 Testing at any private hospital for R1 400.
Meanwhile, there is concern that TVET College students who were sent to study in China are reportedly misbehaving, while some have been sent back home due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Through the Extended Learning Unit and Construction Education and Training Authority (Ceta) the students embarked on a life-changing opportunity to pursue further training in different career fields in China.
Nkangala TVET College in Mpumalanga, Emalahleni, welcomed back three students. Head of the Extended Learning Unit, Emalahleni campus, Phumelele Brown said the students could not proceed with their studies.
“The students are placed at different places in China based on their courses. What we were told is that the Early Childhood Development students had to come back since their location in China wasn’t marked safe like the others who are still in China,” she explained.
Brown added that the Chinese Culture and International Education Exchange Centre had informed them of students who were “problematic”.
“There are some students who are unruly, they don’t want to listen, especially when they’re being warned to cover themselves and stay in one area – instead they go out drinking.” |
UNIVERSITIES in the province are on high alert for signs of the coronavirus, with many establishing special task teams to respond to the outbreak.
University of Cape Town (UCT) acting vice-chancellor Professor Loretta Feris said the institution had set up a Covid-19 co-ordinating committee that will be chaired by UCT chief operating officer Dr Reno Morar, who is tasked with close monitoring of any developments around the coronavirus.
“While UCT has not implemented any general travel restrictions for students and staff… all travel by students and staff (while not restricted) should be agreed to only in essential circumstances.
“Travel to high-risk destinations (currently including China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Japan and Hong Kong) is most strongly discouraged.
“It should be noted that UCT’s insurance provider has confirmed that with immediate effect no cover will be afforded to staff and students travelling to high-risk areas. “ravel prior to this date will still be covered,” Feris said.
Those returning to UCT following international travel have been urged to self-isolate. Students can contact the Student Wellness Service on 021 650 5620 or 021 650 1271 (after hours), while staff can contact 021 650 5685.
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) has also established a coronavirus advisory team to ensure that all necessary protocols and measures are in line with those set by national and international health authorities.
UWC Campus Health and Wellness Centre head Dr Manoj Bagwandeen said those who have good reason to believe they have been exposed to the virus should not present themselves to a medical facility, but to contact the
National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NICD) directly.
The university will shortly set up a contact centre for students or staff.
A contingency committee has been constituted at Stellenbosch University that comprises various experts, including staff from the NCID, the division of Medical Virology, the South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, university campus health services and other bodies.
“After consulting with role-players, the rectorate has decided to place a temporary ban on staff and students travelling to the following countries: China, South Korea, Italy and Iran.
“A protocol has been put in place to limit the risk of international students, staff and visitors to Stellenbosch University,” the institution said.
Staff and students can contact Campus Health Services on the Stellenbosch campus at 021 808 3496/3494; on the Tygerberg campus at 021 938 9590; and after hours via the emergency number 076 431 0305.
The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) said communication had been sent to students. “We have communicated to staff and students that they should limit their non-essential travel at this time.”CPUT spokesperson Lauren Kansley said.
The Western Cape Department of Health hotline can be reached via 08600 029 999.
Contact the NICD hotline on 0828839920 or visit www.nicd.ac.za