Today (09/07) the Northern Cape Department of Education confirmed that 26 schools in the province have closed thus far due to the spread of Covid-19.
Geoffrey van der Merwe, spokesperson of the department, said although these are individual cases that were reported, the department remains on high alert at all levels and follow the Covid-19 regulations and guidelines.
Schools that have been closed thus far due to Covid-19 infections:
1. Carnavon Primary School (re-opened)
2. Enoch Mthetho High School (re-opened)
3. Ikhwezi Lokusa Primary School (re-opened)
4. Phillipstown High School (re-opened)
5. Zingisani Primary School
6. Beacon Primary School (re-opened)
7. Veritas High School (re-opened)
8. Duineveld High School (re-opened)
9. Delta Primary School (re-opened)
10. JJ Booysen Primary School
11. Kimberley Christian School (re-opened)
12. Elizabeth Conradie Special School
13. Noupoort Combined School
14. Remmogo High School
15. Noord-Kaap Primary School
16. GN Pressly Intermediate School
17. Isagontle Primary School
18. Thabane High School
19. Tshiamo Primary School
20. Barkley West High School
21. Colston Intermediate School
22. Rietvale High School
23. Vuyolwethu High School
24. Kuruman Primary School
25. Jannie Brink Special School
26. Shekinah Intermediate School
Van der Merwe said the bulk of the schools that are directly affected by the Covid-19 infections are situated in the Pixley Ka Seme District, Frances Baard District and the John Toalo Gaetsewe District. Out of the 26 schools that were closed, nine schools have already re-opened and continues with teaching and learning.
The department follows a strict protocol in terms of standard operating procedures when a positive or a possible Covid-19 case is reported.
“We immediately disinfect the school building and allow for contact tracing to be done. This will ensure that we limit or contain the spread of the virus particularly in our schools. As additional support, we further determine whether staff or learners at the affected schools will require psycho-social support and assist in this regard,” Van der Merwe said.
He said the same protocol applies for all our offices in the province, therefore the head office and the Frances Baard District offices will only open on Monday (13/07). The Namakwa District office reopened on Tuesday (07/07), with some of the officials still in self-isolation.
“We commend the swift action by the Department of Health in the early detection of Covid-19 cases in our schools and offices, and we will continue to strengthen our collaborative efforts against this invisible enemy. It is clear the systems and measures we have in place, acts as an early alert system to curb the spread of the Coronavirus. Our primary preventative measures in place at all schools are on par as we confront this global pandemic,” he said.
