[ad_1]
Covid-19 has claimed the lives of more than 80 people in higher education institutions.
- A total of 89 people in the higher education sector have died from Covid-19 and 1,979 people tested positive.
- Minister Blade Nzimande revealed that 44 of the deaths were university employees, nine were university students, 11 TVET College students and 25 TVET College staff members.
- The total number of positive Covid-19 cases reported by the institutions stood at 1,979.
Higher education institutions have lost 89 people to Covid-19, and at least 1,979 people tested positive.
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande revealed that 44 of the fatalities were university employees, nine were students, 11 were TVET College students and 25 were TVET College staff.
“The total number of positive Covid-19 cases reported by institutions is 1,979. Of these, 1,215 are staff and 764 are students,” he said.
A total of 245,652 students received permits to enter the campuses for teaching, learning and research purposes.
READ | International students wishing to return to SA must undergo Covid-19 testing
This represented 40% of the contact student population.
“On a daily basis, 70,815 staff members and students were tested on college campuses between September 8 and September 22. The number of daily tests is also related to managing activity on campus.
Occupation
“In addition, we will now be able to move to 50% room occupancy for up to 250 people indoors at a time, and room ventilation will continue to be critical. We will also allow parallel meetings of up to 500 people at the same time. once, “promised Nzimande.
Nzimande said they had trained all the institutions with a combined frontline staff of 13,000 who would help with the Covid-19 response on a daily basis.
RED LIST | UK, American tourists not yet allowed in South Africa
Additionally, more than 3,200 students and staff volunteers have been trained and empowered to participate in the implementation of daily Covid-19 detection, prevention, and education initiatives.
“To date, they have been trained through scientific knowledge to properly recognize and manage [the] Covid-19 pandemic in our post-school education and training sector.
“… Higher Health’s daily HealthCheck and the issuance of daily ‘health passports’ to all students, staff and stakeholders entering our campuses, helped our industry with the identification of moderate risk individuals to high and their referral for appropriate follow-up care, “Nzimande said.
To date, more than five million exams have been administered since HealthCheck was launched.
“More than 1.6 million students and staff, across the industry, have been using HealthCheck on a routine basis, before entering campuses. Higher Health has also introduced a free 24-hour student mental health support service. , led by experienced psychologists, workers, counselors with the support of SA Depression and Anxiety Group.
“The service supports all of our students and campus communities in mental health challenges, survivors of gender-based violence, and other psychosocial health challenges due to Covid-19,” said Nzimande.
