Staff Reporter
The Free State School of Nursing (FSSON) is undergoing an urgent risk assessment exercise after its entire 16-member management team tested positive for COVID-19.
Provincial health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi said all those affected are in self-isolation.
“The campus community was informed and contact tracing was initiated,” he said.
The FSSON has three campuses across the province in Bloemfontein, Welkom and QwaQwa.
Mvambi said the health department is now considering whether to keep the nursing school campuses open or close them for some time.
“This unexpected situation has prompted the department to contemplate putting all campuses of FSSON on recess for two weeks whilst all affected personnel recover so that this may not negatively impact on the educational programme,” he said.
Mvambi told The Free Stater the risk assessment will help determine who can be safely sent home and can be sent for isolation or quarantine.
He said it was however unfortunate some students had panicked and rushed to the media thinking they will be told to leave their campuses without proper plans in place.
“We can’t just send everyone home because some of the students may not be able to isolate there,” Mvambi said.
“Some come from households with 10 people and might not get their own space for isolation should they test positive.
“Others live with elderly family members who are prone to contracting the disease.”
Meanwhile, the Free State has recorded 624 new confirmed cases of COVID-19.
As at July 21, there were 342 new cases in Mangaung Metro, 97 in Fezile Dabi district, 70 in Thabo Mofutsanyana, 93 in Lejweleputswa and 22 in Xhariep.
The province now has a total of 11 352 cases with 1 315 or 12 percent recoveries.
