Northern Cape schools have recorded 264 positive COVID-19 cases in the past week. The provincial Education Department says 180 learners, 62 teachers and 22 support staff have been affected.
Departmental spokesperson, Geoffrey van der Merwe, says the infections have had a severe impact on teaching and learning in all districts of the province.
Five Northern Cape schools close due to COVID-19 cases:
On Friday, Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, announced that all South African primary schools and schools for learners with special needs, will return to daily attendance from July the 26th. The department also suspended contact sports at schools.
Van der Merwe says they have witnessed a sharp increase of positive cases in the province.
“We have witnessed a sharp increase in the number of infections, not only in our communities but also in our schools. All schools follow and implement strict COVID-19 regulations to limit the spread of this virus. We have seen a consistent increase in the number of COVID-19 cases over the past three weeks, which led to the disruptive opening and closure of schools. Since the 1st of May 2021, 79 schools have been closed to allow for disinfection and the immediate isolation of appropriately identified staff and learners.”
Ramaphosa concerned about the surge in COVID-19 cases
President Cyril Ramaphosa has raised concerns about the surge of coronavirus cases; especially in the Northern Cape and Free State provinces.
Addressing an ANC event in his capacity as the governing party leader on Saturday, Ramaphosa called on the ANC leadership in the Northern Cape to prioritise bringing down the infections and protect the health system.
Latest COVID-19 statistics in SA:
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Ramaphosa has appealed to the public to observe COVID-19 protocols.
“Our country is entering a third wave as the rising COVID-19 infections are just going up. This province has seen a spike in infections during the last few weeks and the hospital admissions tell us that this infection rate is high as the admissions have been rising considerably. It has been reported that the province’s ICU capacity is under a great deal of stress. I want to reiterate that our ability to manage this face of the pandemic will depend on the behaviour of our people.”
– Additional reporting by Ditaba Tsotetsi.
