HIV and TB testing sites start COVID-19 research

17 June 2020 | Story Niémah Davids. Photo Pexels. Voice Lerato Molale. Read time 5 min.
Adapting HIV and TB research sites to accommodate and incorporate COVID-19 research is essential, said DTHF COO, Prof Linda-Gail Bekker.
Adapting HIV and TB research sites to accommodate and incorporate COVID-19 research is essential, said DTHF COO, Prof Linda-Gail Bekker.
 

The Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation (DTHF) in association with the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre (DTHC), an accredited research centre at the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), has been working to accommodate and incorporate COVID-19 research and trials at its existing HIV and tuberculosis (TB) research sites.

Since its inception in 2004, the DTHF has established several clinical research sites in under-resourced communities in South Africa, while focusing on communities at high risk of contracting HIV and TB. Through community partnerships and efforts, the foundation also collaborates with those most at risk in order to find innovative solutions to prevent and treat HIV, TB and other related infections.

To date, the foundation has expanded its clinical trial capacity throughout the country – this process has allowed scientists to conduct large community-based trials in HIV and TB, which include trials in vaccine development, prevention and treatment.

In February 2019 the DTHC Masiphumelele research site launched a new Aerobiology TB Research Facility, which focuses on the study of the transmission of TB organisms with a view to finding ways to halt the spread of the disease.

 

“We are already adapting our sites to be COVID-19 safe.”

Professor Linda-Gail Bekker, the DTHF’s chief operating officer, said in a recent interview that in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, adapting the sites to incorporate research related to COVID-19 was essential.

“We are already adapting our sites to be COVID-19 safe. By this I mean improving the infection control measures so that we can include COVID-19-related research there,” she said.

“The infrastructure exists, so we can do this efficiently and affordably.”

Pivoting to include COVID-19 research

The renewed focus on COVID-19 research doesn’t mean HIV and TB clinical trials have taken a back seat at testing sites. On the contrary, Bekker stressed, work is continuing in earnest.

“With this new research addition, we are still able to continue the HIV and TB work we have been doing. This is critical for the well-being of the country long term, while at the same time pivoting to include COVID-19 product research,” she said.

Bekker explained that research related to COVID-19 at DTHF sites will focus on developing vaccines, monoclonals (forming a clone derived from a single individual or cell), pre-exposure prophylaxis, and therapeutics.

Behind the scenes, she said, ensuring that testing sites are COVID-19 safe and ready, and adhering to the National Department of Health’s strict guidelines, has been a top priority.

Stumbling blocks

But with new ventures come new challenges, she pointed out.

In this case, Bekker said, operations at testing sites came to a grinding halt when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country. This as teams regrouped and tried to figure out the best way to move forward.

“We needed to restart our engines.”

To ensure sites were COVID-19 compliant, Bekker said spaces needed to be modified and extended accordingly, and in some cases, rebuilt.

 

“We are all moving forward. I think some [testing sites] are more ahead than others, but now we feel the urgency to get moving.”

Additions such as screens, outdoor tents, additional workspaces and more hand-washing stations were also made available.

“Emotionally, we also needed to get our heads right on how to do this, and if you like, to get back on the bike,” she said.

‘Moving forward’

Progress has been swift, Bekker added.

“We are all moving forward. I think some [testing sites] are more ahead than others, but now we feel the urgency to get moving,” she said.

“[COVID-19] proposals and products are coming in and need to be tested. At the same time, all of our HIV and TB work needs to continue, urgently, or delays will damage those processes.”


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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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