Nineteen students at a residence at the University of Kwazulu-Natal's (UKZN) Howard College have tested positive for Covid-19. UKZN has now sent experts to help contain the virus at the campus.
The news came to the University on Friday concerning the students at the Siphiwe Zuma residence. Students are now under quarantine and contact tracing is also underway.
Tests were conducted with 200 students who live at this residence. The affected students have been sent to the Department of Health facilities for isolation. This development saddens us as we have taken every precaution possible to ensure the safety of our students. It is also incumbent on our UKZN community to be as vigilant as possible.
- UKZN's Acting spokesperson Normah Zondo
Zondo continued to say, "The university has teams of health-care experts currently dealing with this outbreak and we thank them for their professionalism, generosity of spirit and for caring for our university community".
She has said that the University does have measures in place to protect against further outbreaks including limiting visits at the residence and cleaning and disinfecting all affected areas.
“Prevention is the only key to containing the pandemic. It is essential to take care of your health and protect yourself and others from contracting or spreading viruses and illness,” explained Zondo.
The majority of examinations are to be written in January 2021. Most assessments are taking place online.
- UKZN's Acting spokesperson Normah Zondo
The students who tested positive for Covid-19 will only head back to their campus once they've fully recovered.
The University's Central Student Representative Council president Sifiso Simelane told Daily News that he is concerned and that it's a worrying situation and that they'd also be looking at how they are going to deal with it.
