The University of Cape Town (UCT) confirmed on Thursday 19 March that a second staff member has also tested positive for coronavirus.
The staff member is currently in self-isolation for the next two weeks under the supervision of the Health Department.
Contact tracing has already begun to identify the people who were in close contact with the staff member and they are all asymptomatic at present. They are currently in quarantine at home and are being monitored.
“The dean of the affected faculty has communicated the matter to members of the faculty and the building where the staff member worked, has been closed,” said UCT on Twitter.
Notice: UCT confirms that a staff member has tested positive for COVID-19. This is this the second confirmed case of COVID-19 at UCT.The staff member is now in self isolation for the next two weeks under supervision from the national Department of Health.
— UCT (@UCT_news) March 19, 2020
First UCT staff member tests positive for coronavirus
UCT announced that one of its staff members tested positive for the coronavirus on Sunday 15 March. According to the university, no other confirmed cases were recorded up until Thursday morning.
The institution says the staff member came into contact with an estimated 30 people or fewer on campus before his diagnosis. The staff member and all the UCT contacts who have been traced will remain in self-isolation for 14 days.
The process is managed by the Western Cape Department of Health as per provincial and national prescribed protocols. The building where the staff member worked will remain closed.
COVID-19 closures
UCT implemented additional measures on Wednesday to combat the coronavirus:
- All UCT sports events have been cancelled or postponed;
- Sport facilities across campus will be closed;
- A limited number of Jammie Shuttle buses will remain operational. Safe hygienic practices will be strictly adhered to;
- The library will be closed as of Wednesday, 18 March 2020. Library services will operate as usual online and via telephone; and
- The workplace is being redefined to enable staff members, where possible, to work offsite.
The following UCT facilities are now closed until further notice:
- Baxter Theatre Centre;
- UCT Educare Centre;
- UCT Visitors’ Centre;
- Irma Stern Museum; and
- All large computer labs.
The university explained that wherever possible, postgraduate students are encouraged to continue their work off-campus. Supervisors are encouraged to make use of digital technologies to stay in contact and provide necessary supervision support.
All scheduled workshops and seminars have also been cancelled, postponed or rearranged to take place online. Staff are working towards offering resources through online platforms, such as Vula.
Source: The South African Read More
