There are still several Free State schools where pupils and teachers tested positive for the coronavirus, with at least seven schools reporting Covid-19 cases.
Apart from the three schools in Bloemfontein – Gray College, Central Primary and Fauna Primary School – there are confirmed cases in Harrismith, Qwaqwa, at a school in the Vaal River area, at a school in Lesotho on the border with the Free State and in the Xhariep District Municipality (Southern Free State), where the number of schools remains to be confirmed.
The confirmed cases are:
* Gray College – Matrix boy;
* Central Teacher Primary School;
* Fauna Primary School teacher;
* Vaal Christian Combined School – 15 pupils and three teachers;
* New Horizon School in Harrismith – teacher;
* Bluegumbosch Secondary School in Phuthaditjhaba in Qwaqwa- leerling;
* Makhalaneng High School in Lesotho on the border with the Free State teacher.
Montseng Tsiu, the Free State MEC for health, confirmed the above information.
According to her, 15 pupils from Heatherdale High School in Heidedal, Bloemfontein, were sent home because they showed flu symptoms. She learned that they had all been quarantined since then.
“I don’t know what happened to their results because they were tested for the coronavirus.”
Tsiu told Network24 Tate Makgoe, the Free State MEC for education, told her there were also cases in the Xhariep district (Southern Free State) where either a teacher or a pupil had done Covid-19.
“I don’t know what schools they are.”
Howard Ndaba, the Free State’s spokesman for the education department, says it was decided to close Fauna Primary School and Central Primary Tuesday (the holiday) and Wednesday so that the schools can be disinfected.
He says mobile labs were also sent to the two schools for screening and testing.
According to him, professional help was obtained to find the people who were in contact with the two teachers of the respective schools.
Ndaba also confirmed the Covid-19 cases in Harrismith and Qwaqwa. They wait for full reports and implement plans to deal with the situation.
Ndaba said he is not aware of the other cases in the Xhariep district at this stage, but will investigate.
According to Tsiu, the health department has their hands full to help all the schools, but they expected Covid-19 cases to occur in schools.
“The model forecasts have shown that. However, we do our best to provide assistance to all the schools. “
