COVID-19 advisory for the UCT community

05 March 2020 | From Kgethi

Dear colleagues and students

Concern is growing on campus – and all over the world – over the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Although there have been no reported cases in South Africa, the country remains on high alert and the relevant authorities have given assurances on their capability to contain the disease. I wrote to you on this matter a few weeks ago (read the VC Desk) and I am now giving a further update.

COVID-19, caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, is a rapidly changing epidemic. This update is based on information that was current as of 4 March 2020. This will be updated as and when new information becomes available.

COVID-19 has now been identified in patients in over 81 countries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USA) has categorised an individual’s risk of infection according to their status. Students and staff are advised to avoid or postpone travel to high risk countries where possible, including, for example, China, South Korea, Iran and Italy. In the case of countries that are currently considered low risk destinations where there are no reported cases, travellers are advised to practise standard hygiene measures that are similar to preventing the common cold and flu.

Please also be aware that the medical risks of COVID-19 are more severe in older people. People who are over 60 and/or have chronic medical conditions are advised to not travel to high risk areas unless it is absolutely essential, and to still be cautious when travelling to low risk areas.

The possibility of infection in high risk countries is likely when moving through airports and while using public transport. When travelling by aeroplane or train, wipe surfaces such as tray tables and arm rests. These are known to carry all sorts of germs, so it is worthwhile to use a “wet wipe” to clean them. The likelihood of contracting the disease by walking past an infected person who is coughing is extremely low.

Staff and students who have to travel are advised to consider their academic calendars, which could be affected should quarantine be required upon return from a high risk country, or should there be a need for them to remain in that high risk country if “lock-in” containment measures are implemented. An example of this scenario is the Diamond Princess cruise ship, where guests were contained on the ship when they were found to have been infected.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus can live for a number of days on surfaces. Most of the risk comes from touching infected surfaces and then touching your nose, mouth or eyes. The SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads from the upper airways of an infected person when they cough or sneeze – these droplets can fall onto surfaces within about a metre. A number of standard hygiene practices reduce risk while travelling:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Carry an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, which can be used in place of soap and water.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, especially if you haven’t recently washed your hands.
  • Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue into a bin.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • Although human-to-human transmission is now by far the most common way of contracting SARS-CoV-2, the World Health Organization’s advice is to stay away from wet or live-animal markets.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition or you are on medication such as steroids or other immunosuppressants, it is important that you consult with your medical practitioner or, for UCT students, the Student Wellness Service’s (SWS) health practitioners.

Should you travel, the risk of infecting people on your return depends on the destinations visited. Containment of potential infection is important. Active surveillance measures have been put in place by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases in collaboration with the Department of Health to identify any possible imported case.

A pragmatic approach for travellers returning to South Africa from an area with community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 who have no symptoms (asymptomatic) is to return to activities of daily life while carefully monitoring themselves for symptoms. If symptoms develop, they are to self-isolate immediately and implement measures to prevent transmission, including meticulous hand and respiratory hygiene. They must immediately make contact with their medical practitioner or SWS health practitioner to seek healthcare.

For more information, students can contact SWS on 021 650 5620 (office hours) or 021 650 1271 (after hours), while staff can contact 021 650 5685.

Sincerely

Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng
Vice-Chancellor


Please note the Frequently Asked Questions document recently distributed by Discovery Health for your information.


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UCT’s response to COVID-19

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 with the latest COVID-19 information. Please note that the information on this page is subject to change depending on current lockdown regulations.

Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, has in June 2022 repealed some of South Africa’s remaining COVID-19 regulations: namely, sections 16A, 16B and 16C of the Regulations Relating to the Surveillance and the Control of Notifiable Medical Conditions under the National Health Act. We are now no longer required to wear masks or limit gatherings. Venue restrictions and checks for travellers coming into South Africa have now also been removed.

In July 2022, the University of Cape Town (UCT) revised its approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic on UCT campuses in 2022.
Read the latest document available on the UCT policies web page.

 

Campus communications

 
2022

Adjusting to our new environment 16:50, 23 June 2022
VC Open Lecture and other updates 17:04, 13 April 2022
Feedback from UCT Council meeting of 12 March 2022 09:45, 18 March 2022
UCT Council
March 2022 graduation celebration 16:45, 8 March 2022
Report on the meeting of UCT Council of 21 February 2022 19:30, 21 February 2022
UCT Council
COVID-19 management 2022 11:55, 14 February 2022
Return to campus arrangements 2022 11:15, 4 February 2022

UCT Community of Hope Vaccination Centre

On Wednesday, 20 July, staff from the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Faculty of Health Sciences came together with representatives from the Western Cape Government at the UCT Community of Hope Vaccination Centre at Forest Hill Residence to acknowledge the centre’s significance in the fight against COVID-19 and to thank its staff for their contributions. The centre opened on 1 September 2021 with the aim of providing quality vaccination services to UCT staff, students and the nearby communities, as well as to create an opportunity for medical students from the Faculty of Health Sciences to gain practical public health skills. The vaccination centre ceased operations on Friday, 29 July 2022.

With the closure of the UCT Community of Hope Vaccination Centre, if you still require access to a COVID-19 vaccination site please visit the CovidComms SA website to find an alternative.

 

“After almost a year of operation, the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Community of Hope Vaccination Centre, located at the Forest Hill residence complex in Mowbray, will close on Friday, 29 July 2022. I am extremely grateful and proud of all staff, students and everyone involved in this important project.”
– Vice-Chancellor Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng

With the closure of the UCT Community of Hope Vaccination Centre, if you still require access to a COVID-19 vaccination site please visit the CovidComms SA website to find an alternative.


Thank You UCT Community

Frequently asked questions

 

Global Citizen Asks: Are COVID-19 Vaccines Safe & Effective?

UCT’s Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM) collaborated with Global Citizen, speaking to trusted experts to dispel vaccine misinformation.



If you have further questions about the COVID-19 vaccine check out the FAQ produced by the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF). The DTHF has developed a dedicated chat function where you can ask your vaccine-related questions on the bottom right hand corner of the website.

IDM YouTube channel | IDM website
 

 

“As a contact university, we look forward to readjusting our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in 2023 as the COVID-19 regulations have been repealed.”
– Prof Harsha Kathard, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning

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.

 

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