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- FThe Ort Hare Council of Student Representatives condemned the health department claiming that the recent party was the cause of the recent Covid-19 outbreak.
- Nursing students are blamed for the outbreak because they were expected to do their practical work in public hospitals.
- Taverns, pubs, and even churches can be considered high-profile events.
The University of Fort Hare’s Council of Student Representatives has criticized the Eastern Cape health department’s reason for a recent Covid-19 outbreak among students, accusing it and the university of trying to deflect responsibility for infections. .
Media reports this week said 30 students at the university tested positive for Covid-19. The university said this was after groups visited a tavern on October 3, and a week later, large groups of students attended an organized party.
The SRC accused the Eastern Cape Department of Health (ECDOH) and the university of being misleading about the cause of the outbreak.
“In fact, there are currently active cases at the university and, as the ECDOH points out, more than 80% of these are nursing science students, who are required by the [Department of Health] and sanctioned by the university to attend practical work in public hospitals, “said SRC President Siphiwo Ngcenge.
“Therefore, they cannot say conclusively that the cause of the spread was due to some party attended by the students,” Ngcenge added.
On Saturday, the university said students tested positive after an alleged breach of alert level 1 lockdown regulations, claiming no masks were worn, social distancing was not observed, and hands were not washed or sanitized in a tavern in Quigney.
READ | Covid-19: 30 Fort Hare students test positive after tavern nights out and party
The Director of Research and Development at the University of the Western Cape, Professor Burtram Fielding, told News24 that taverns, pubs and even churches could be considered venues for high-profile events.
“However, social responsibility is just as important,” Fielding said.
“Most students who have contracted the coronavirus will get away with mild flu symptoms due to their age and health; wearing masks should be emphasized,” he added.
The university said two students who tested positive went home.
Fielding stressed that if a person suspected they might be infected, or might have been in contact with an infected person, they had a responsibility to isolate themselves for at least eight to 10 days.
“While they may be healthy, they are more likely to pose a risk to those who live at home with medical conditions or are elderly.”
“Although social distancing cannot be achieved 100%, people should always wear masks when in public spaces, to minimize the risk of infecting others or becoming infected,” added Fielding.
Meanwhile, Ngcenge also rejected claims that one of the students was only tested on Saturday and is still awaiting her results, while the other tested negative.
“We condemn the blame-shifting that ECDOH and the university are currently doing as they appear not to want to take responsibility for the outbreak,” Ngcenge said.
Despite numerous attempts by News24, the ECDOH was not available for comment.
