Covid-19 Illustration. Photo Credit: Stellenbosch University website
Stellenbosch University (SU) announced that a staff member in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) has tested positive for Covid-19, confirming SU’s first case of the virus, this afternoon.
The staff member, who recently returned from travelling abroad, is currently in self-isolation and under the supervision of both the Provincial and National departments of Health, said prof Wim de Villiers, vice-chancellor and rector of SU, in an official statement.
“Close contacts of the person have been identified and the relevant health authorities are in the process of contacting them. Exposure of all other colleagues and students at Tygerberg is currently deemed to be extremely low risk and Faculty Management at Tygerberg has taken all the necessary precautions to ensure that its facilities are safe,” said De Villiers.
According to the statement, campus-specific information will be communicated from the FMHS dean’s office.
SU confirms it’s first case of the Covid-19 pandemic on Tygerberg campus, this afternoon. Photo credit: Stellenbosch University website.
The Institutional Committee for Business Continuity is scheduled to meet on 20 March to discuss the latest developments. The campus community will be informed of any further decisions thereafter, De Villiers said in the statement.
Physical lectures and assessments at SU remain suspended since 16 March.
SU’s official website remains the university’s primary communication channel for the Covid-19 pandemic.
By Rebecca Pitt and Sarah Hoek