The University of Cape Town (UCT) has on Wednesday 18 March announced that it will implement additional measures to further combat the spread of the ever-changing coronavirus.
This comes after one of its staff members tested positive for the coronavirus on Sunday 15 March. According to the university, no other confirmed cases have been recorded.
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.
University of Cape Town implements additional measures to combat coronavirus
The additional measures include:
- 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.
University turns to online platforms
While the University of Cape Town is currently on recess, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) for Teaching and Learning, Associate Professor Lis Lange, is leading the work around online teaching and learning.
A Teaching Online Task Team, of which all UCT Deans are members, is compiling and analysing the needs of the different courses in order to map out how the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching (CILT) in the Centre for Higher Education Development will provide support.
By the end of this week, there will be further details for students and academics about the online teaching plan.
UCT vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng said: “The profound work we must do now is to assist to stem a dramatic swell in the infection rate of COVID-19. We must “flatten the curve”, as it is called. To do so, we must practise social distancing, which means no unnecessary close physical contact. This guiding principle underpins all the decisions of the executive. Preventing the spread of the virus is profoundly critical.”
Please note the following important telephone numbers
- The National Institute for Communicable Diseases hotline: 0800 029 999
- UCT Student Wellness Services can be contacted on 021 650 5620 or 021 650 1271 (after hours)
- UCT staff can contact 021 650 5685
