Parents go into panic mode every time a learner in a school in the area tests positive for Covid-19 and then accuse the school of not following the correct procedures.
Mr Jasper Zwane, spokesman of the Department of Education in Mpumalanga, said there is a specific procedure schools must follow if a learner or teacher tested positive for Covid-19.
This procedure entails that the school principal, as the Covid-19 point person, must immediately report the positive learner or teacher to the circuit manager and the integrated school health team (ISHT), as well as information about the case.
According to Mr Zwane, a Covid-19 point-person will then assess the case with the ISHT or the Covid-19 response team.
Learners or teachers in direct contact with the specific individual who tested positive for Covid-19 must quarantine for 10 days.
However, direct or closed contact is considered being without masks and not applying social distancing.
If learners in a classroom were all wearing masks and social distancing was applied, it is not considered close contact according to the Department of Health’s protocol.
It is not in the power of the school principal, the governing body or school management to close the school.
Only the Head of Department or the delegated official such as the District Director can authorise the closure of a class or section of a school.
The school must decontaminate and disinfect the area where the positive individual moved and inform only the parents of learners who were in close contact with the individual.
“The closure of a school is a disruption to the delivery of education and it is not warranted or considered if an individual with suspected or confirmed Covid-19 has been in the same class as others for less than two days,” said Mr Zwane.
“If these cases occur, direct or close contacts need to be identified and managed appropriately.
“Environmental cleaning and disinfection of the area can be done while school activities continue.
“Only if 25% of the class or grade are suspected or confirmed to have Covid-19, will it be considered and appropriate to temporarily close the class or grade.”
Mr Zwane said two days are sufficient for environmental cleaning and can be done if only one learner tested positive while the other learners continue with school.
“Closure of an entire school is an extreme measure that should be carefully considered and can only be made by the Head of Department.”
All learners and teachers at schools must be screened for symptoms daily.
If a learner or teacher does not pass the screening, they should stay at home, seek medical assessment and inform the school principal.
