58 pupils, 188 teachers test positive for Covid-19 in Gauteng
Gauteng MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi has revealed that an additional 58 pupils have contracted Covid-19 in the province, in addition to 188 teachers.
The provincial command council gave an update on the latest Covid-19 developments on Thursday.
Lesufi said the bulk of these new infections did not occur on school grounds.
“Unfortunately, we’ve got 176 schools that have been affected. Of those 176 - 58 learners tested positive and 188 educators also tested positive.
“Of the learners that have been affected, they did not get the Covid within the school premises. These are tests that we took when we identified them before they arrived within the school premises.”
He vowed: “We are working very hard to ensure that these schools that have been affected are reopened.”
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The infections include 22 teachers, six pupils and a deputy principal. READ: SABC retrenchment letters premature, says Parliament National schools welcomed back their Grade 7 and 12 pupils in June after they closed in March due the Covid-19 pandemic. Spokesperson Elias Malindi says there are a total of 62 cases at schools around the province.
The number of infections in schools has risen sharply since schools resumed on June 1.
More pupils are expected back at school on July 6 as the department ready’s to allow more grades to open.
Lesufi said he can’t guarantee that the province will be completely ready.
“In this environment that we are in, I think it would be reckless to say we are 100% ready for the next phase that starts on the 6th of July.
“What we can say is that we’ve put the proper systems in place.”
At least 1.3 million pupils are expected back at schools around the province next month.
Lesufi: In the environment we are in, it would be reckless to say we are 100% ready for July 6 but we can say we have all the necessary systems in order. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/MKJCupdxEY
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) June 25, 2020