Update on COVID-19 infections in schools
The Northern Cape Department of Education has been working tirelessly to curb the spread of COVID-19 in our schools. Since the re-opening of schools on the 8th of June 2020, we have put in place different measures to ensure the health and safety of educators and learners. In line with the COVID-19 regulations and guidelines, schools are making use of differentiated timetables to accommodate all learners, whilst maintaining social distancing.
Thus far, the education system is progressing very well to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst ensuring curriculum coverage at the same time. To date 179 schools were affected by COVID-19. A total of 232 educators and 169 learners have tested positive for COVID-19 since the 8th of June 2020. The infection rate in our schools represents 3,29% of the provincial statistics as it relates to COVID-19.
We will continue to follow our Standard Operating Procedures to the latter and adhere to the COVID-19 regulations and guidelines. Educators and learners are subjected to screening before they enter the school premises. We further appeal to parents/legal guardians to keep their child at home, if they show any symptoms of the coronavirus or don't feel well. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that we wear our face mask, wash our hands with soap or an alcohol based sanitizer and to maintain social distancing at all times.
End.