Update

KNYSNA NEWS - A parent of a child at Percy Mdala High School in Knysna is concerned over the safety of her daughter after a learner at the school tested positive for Covid-19.

The parent, whose identity is known to Knysna-Plett Herald (KPH), said her child is in the same class as the learner who tested positive. "I fear for my health because I am old, diabetic and have hypertension," she said, adding that she will keep her daughter at home until something is done at the school.

The school issued a letter to parents on Wednesday 24 June informing them of the case.

In the letter, principal Nicholas Njozela advised parents of the learners in that class to keep their children at home until Friday

3 July. "The safety measures have been taken and the class has been sanitised," Njozela said. "The passages leading to the class are closed to ensure safety for both learners and teachers."

Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the school has not closed. "A certain section of the school has been cordoned off and is currently being decontaminated. The Department of Health has visited the school and has done the necessary tracing," she said, noting that WCED does not do Covid-19 testing. "This is the responsibility of the Health Department."

Detailed protocol
Hammond explained that whenever a confirmed case of Covid-19 is reported at a school, a detailed protocol must be followed. "A confirmed case does not necessarily require a school to be closed. In each case, a number of factors will be considered in making the decision. Firstly, the areas where the staff member / learner has physically been present need to be disinfected. 

"For example, if a staff member has only been in one or two rooms, it is possible for schooling to continue by cordoning off and sanitising those rooms. On the other hand, if the staff member has been all over the school, more areas will need to be sanitised which may require a temporary closure," she said.

The date on which an infected staff member / learner was last present in the school is important.

"The National Institute for Communicable Diseases and Department of Health have told us that the virus does not survive on surfaces for more than 72 hours. If a staff member was last present at a school more than a week before, sanitising a surface is not required. Finally, the number of direct contacts must also be considered. Clear distinction must be made between direct (close) contact, and casual contact," Hammond said. 

Direct contact involves being very close to someone physically, or giving a hug or a handshake.

"It is important that we keep direct contact to a minimum as required by physical-distancing protocols. Only the direct contacts of a confirmed case need to isolate for up to 14 days from the date of last contact."

Being in the same room as a confirmed case, while maintaining the 1,5m physical distancing requirement, is considered casual contact.

Related article: Percy Mdala learner tests positive for Covid-19

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