The Durban University of Technology COVID-19 Response Task Team has confirmed nine positive cases of coronavirus, in a statement released on Tuesday 7 July 2020.
“The latest two confirmed COVID-19 cases included a student and a staff member, who are both based in Durban,” the statement said.
“Contact tracing has commenced for both cases, via the relevant heads of departments, and the affected areas on campus will be sanitised in keeping with the response protocols.”
On 2 July 2020, the number of confirmed cases in the institution were seven.
Fighting an invisible enemy
Library and information studies student Nokwanda Ntanza said that students could never know if they were safe or not “because we’re fighting an invisible enemy”.
“I believe the institution is doing all in its power to help prevent the spread of the virus because I’ve only physically attended a single lecture since we returned,” the third-year student said.
‘Only go to campus when necessary’
“I can say that I’m safe for now since I do not go to campus and would encourage fellow students to remain in their residences and only go to campus when necessary.”
Third-year DUT journalism student Sikelela Dlamini said he chose not to focus on the soaring number of COVID-19 positive cases, but to keep a positive attitude.
“Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize said that COVID-19 might be around for two years,” Dlamini said.
“So I play my part by practicing social distancing, wearing my mask all the time and carrying my sanitiser at all times. On campus, they also screen us and make sure that we’re not more than 50 in class.
“In my residence, there’s only 10 of us who are part of the 33%. We are encouraged to practise social distancing and follow protocol.
“The bonus is that our residence ambassador screens us to check if none of us have developed any of the COVID-19 symptoms.”
Guidelines not adhered to
The university’s Response Task Team also confirmed it received a number of reports of students and members of staff not following guidelines.
Source: The South African Read More“We urge students to leave campus after their academic contact sessions and to return to their places of residence for the benefit of the entire university community,” its statement said.
