Varsities put Covid-19 plans into action
Institutions alert for signs of infection
UNIVERSITIES in the province are on high alert for signs of the coronavirus, with many establishing special task teams to respond to the outbreak.
UCT acting vice-chancellor Professor Loretta Feris said the institution had set up a Covid-19 co-ordinating committee that will be chaired by UCT chief operating officer Dr Reno Morar, who is tasked with continued close monitoring of any developments around the coronavirus.
“While UCT has not implemented any general travel restrictions for students and staff… all travel by students and staff (while not restricted) should be agreed to only in essential circumstances. Travel to high-risk destinations (including China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Japan and Hong Kong) is most strongly discouraged.
“It should be noted that UCT’s insurance provider has confirmed that with immediate effect no cover will be afforded to staff and students travelling to high-risk areas. Travel prior to this date will still be covered,” Feris said.
Those returning to UCT following international travel have been urged to self-isolate.
Students can contact the Student Wellness Service on 021 650 5620 or 021 650 1271 (after hours), while staff can contact 021 650 5685.
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) has also established a coronavirus advisory team to ensure that all necessary protocols and measures are in line with those set by national and international health authorities.
UWC Campus Health and Wellness Centre head Dr Manoj Bagwandeen said those who have good reason to believe they have been exposed to the virus should not present themselves to a medical facility, but to contact the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NICD) directly.
The university will shortly set up a contact centre for students or staff.
A contingency committee has been constituted at Stellenbosch University that comprises various experts, including staff from the NCID, the division of Medical Virology, the South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, university campus health services and other bodies.
“After consulting with role-players, the rectorate has decided to place a temporary ban on staff and students travelling to the following countries: China, South Korea, Italy and Iran.
“A protocol has been put in place to limit the risk of international students, staff and visitors to Stellenbosch University,” the institution said.
Staff and students can contact Campus Health Services on the Stellenbosch campus at 021 808 3496/3494; on the Tygerberg campus at 021 938 9590; and after hours via the emergency number 076 431 0305.
In its communication to students, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology said: “A collective international effort to contain the coronavirus outbreak is under way. The potential for the virus to spread to our shores is a concern and as a university community we should make every effort to educate and protect ourselves from possible infection.
“Take comfort in the fact that in South Africa, the NICD has one of the most effective surveillance programmes in the region and serves as a reference laboratory for a number of African countries. Our health services are also on alert to identify possible cases and diagnose and effect the appropriate infection control measures.”