More than 100 UP students test positive for Covid-19
“It is suspected that the virus was contracted off-campus at one or more of the pubs and restaurants regularly frequented by students in the Hatfield area.”
The University of Pretoria revealed this week that 115 of its students have tested positive for Covid-19 since 19 March.
“It is suspected that the virus was contracted off-campus at one or more of the pubs and restaurants regularly frequented by students in the Hatfield area,” said Rikus Delport, spokesperson for the university.
Contact tracing was now underway at the university, following ongoing tests conducted by the Department of Health.
“Only a few students are still in quarantine.”
Delport said most of the affected students were residing at the residences.
The university has since taken immediate action to facilitate full sanitisation of all communal areas as well as the areas specifically occupied by the affected students.
He said students who tested positive were provided with support and had to isolate either at home or in facilities approved by the university and the health department.
“All the relevant authorities were notified. We are working closely with them to implement all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.”
“The university treats the health and safety of its students and staff as a priority. It has developed and implemented health and safety protocols to minimise the risk of exposure of members of our community to the virus.
Delport said most classes were held online, and as a result, the academic programme would not be interrupted.
All organised student life activities have been put on hold.
“The Department of Health set up a screening and testing facility to test all students who were close contacts of the affected students,” he said.
He said continuous decontamination of communal areas in residences where Covid-positive students have been identified are taking place.
Delport said discussions were underway on how best to address risky student behaviour beyond the confines of the residences and off-campus.
According to Tshwane mayor Randall Williams, the metro has seen another week-on-week increase in the number of active Covid-19 cases.
On 29 March the number of active cases was at 633.
However, as of 5 April 2021 there were 678 active cases.
These are the statistics over the five days the following trends were observed in terms of daily increases.
Thursday (1 April): 105 new cases
Friday (2 April): 75 new cases
Saturday (3 April): 138 new cases
Sunday (4 April): 74 new cases
Monday (5 April): 39 new cases
“With the Easter weekend now behind us, it is critical that any residents who attended social gatherings take extra precautions and monitor their health carefully,” Williams said.
“I want to encourage residents to please continue adhering to core Covid-19 protocols such as wearing masks, practising good hygiene and maintaining social distancing.”
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