Thursday, 25 June

25 June 2020
 

10:15

The University of Cape Town (UCT) explains how and why it will report new COVID-19 cases at the institution.

The university will not report the names of people who test positive for COVID-19. It will only make public non-personalised information as reported to the university by faculties and departments. By reporting the facts as we receive them, UCT seeks to prevent the circulation of false or unverified information about the impact of the virus on the university community.

Since the last report on UCT’s COVID-19 cases in May, there have been some delays and complexities in reporting new cases. Additional cases involving UCT Health Sciences staff members and students working with the Western Cape Department of Health or the National Health Laboratory Service have been reported.

The university has decided that cases of COVID-19 infection among Health Sciences staff and students performing health system work need to be reported separately from cases involving the rest of the UCT community, because UCT members in the health system group are at far higher risk of infection.

As a result, here are the new COVID-19 cases since the last report on 14 May 2020:

  • 28 staff members in the non-health sciences UCT community have tested positive for COVID-19, with two recoveries so far. Three staff members have passed away from COVID-19 complications.
  • Five medical students in the Health Sciences faculty have tested positive for COVID-19. They are all engaged in their final-year clinical platform.
  • Four students in other faculties have tested positive.

UCT will update these figures on a regular basis.

Read about support for staff health and wellness

Read about support for student health and wellness

Visit the Western Cape Government COVID-19 Dashboard for daily updates of documented cases by suburb and town.

Read the VC Desk.

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UCT’s response to COVID-19 in 2021

COVID-19 is a global pandemic that caused President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare a national disaster in South Africa on 15 March 2020 and to implement a national lockdown from 26 March 2020.

UCT is taking the threat of infection in our university community extremely seriously, and this page will be updated regularly with the latest COVID-19 information. Please note that the information on this page is subject to change depending on current lockdown regulations.

 

Commemorating a year of COVID-19

At midnight on 26 March 2020, South African went into the first nationwide hard lockdown. A year later, we remember those who have died and those who have been affected by COVID-19, as well as the pandemic’s effects across society and campus. We are especially grateful for the front-line health workers who have done so much for so many.


Frequently asked questions

 
 

In an email to the UCT community, Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng said:
“COVID-19, caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, is a rapidly changing epidemic. [...] Information [...] will be updated as and when new information becomes available.”

 

We are continuing to monitor the situation and we will be updating the UCT community regularly – as and when there are further updates. If you are concerned or need more information, students can contact the Student Wellness Service on 021 650 5620 or 021 650 1271 (after hours), while staff can contact 021 650 5685.