From the Chief Operating Officer
New UCT Daily Health Screening app is live
05 March 2021 | Dr Reno Morar, COO
Dear colleagues and students
The University of Cape Town (UCT) is committed to reducing any possible risk of spreading COVID-19 infection within the campus community as far as possible. This is only possible if everyone shares the responsibility and does their part by adhering to the COVID-19 guidelines and procedures.
To further streamline processes, we will be implementing a UCT Daily Health Screening app to replace the current Higher Health Screening app. All staff members, students and visitors coming to campus will be required to present the outcome of their UCT Daily Health Screening app to the Campus Protection Services (CPS) officer at campus or faculty entrance points when asked. CPS representatives are trained to assist you onsite with the app if for any reason you are unable to complete the screening prior to coming to campus.
The screening only takes a few minutes to complete and delivers an immediate result. Please note that the UCT Daily Health Screening app is mandatory for entering UCT’s campuses and must be completed every time you come to one of our campuses.
The UCT Daily Health Screening app caters for the needs of our community as well as your privacy.
The UCT Daily Health Screening app meets the government’s requirements while incorporating customised features to meet the specific needs of UCT. The app has been tested by UCT colleagues across various platforms for its ease of use. It has been designed to help keep UCT staff, students and visitors safe by alerting users who may need medical attention or testing. It will allow our health practitioners in the Occupational Health Unit (OHU) from the Department of Properties & Services, and the Student Wellness Service (SWS) from the Department of Student Affairs (DSA) to assist in managing the possible risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is important that we remain vigilant and complete the UCT Daily Health Screening app honestly and accurately for the benefit of the entire UCT community. We have a joint responsibility to ensure that all our campuses comply with regulations and are safe for all staff, students and visitors who access them. Special care must be taken to protect staff and students with health vulnerabilities and comorbidities that put them at higher risk of infection.
This app was designed to encourage users to remain aware of their daily interactions and symptoms, thus helping us all to protect the lives of those around us. All personal information will be treated confidentially, and with the appropriate access and audit controls in place. Your health information will not be shared with any party other than the health practitioners assigned to deal with OHU and SWS matters. Please be assured that information will not be used for any purpose other than for the safety and security of staff and students.
The UCT Daily Health Screening app is live so you can start using it immediately.
The user-friendly app runs in a browser on any smart mobile phone, laptop or desktop computer, using the link provided below. It can also be accessed via the UCT mobile App.
- Link to the UCT Daily Health Screening app
- Read the information sheet on the UCT Daily Health Screening app. Please refer to the frequently asked questions sheet or email ps-assist@uct.ac.za for help
- CPS officers at the security checkpoints will be accepting both the UCT and the Government Higher Health Screening App until 31 March 2021.
Staff members and students are urged to start using the new UCT Daily Health Screening app as soon as possible, as the Higher Health app will not be accepted from 1 April 2021. For assistance with the outcome of your screening results, staff can contact the Occupational Health Helpline on 021 650 0999, while students may contact SWS on 021 650 1271/5620.
I would like to acknowledge the Occupational Health, Safety and Environment Unit, Information and Communication Technology Services and the Properties & Services Technology team for developing this new app with such care and attention to UCT’s needs. I would also like to thank everyone who helped to test the app.
A reminder to all of us to remain aware of the following interventions that we can all take to help stop the spread of COVID-19:
- Wear a face mask at all times
- Maintain a physical distance of at least 1.5m from others.
- Wash or sanitise your hands regularly.
Sincerely
Dr Reno Morar
Chief Operating Officer
Chair of the COVID-19 Co-ordinating Committee
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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.
Read the latest document available on the UCT policies web page.
Campus communications
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 PhakengWith 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.
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.