Staff Reporter
Dr Blok Secondary School in Heidedal, Bloemfontein, has been closed following an outbreak of COVID-19 in which 48 people tested positive for the disease.
Of those infected, 31 stay at the school’s hostel while five are day scholars.
A further 12 learners are from Heide Primary School who stay at the hostel at Dr Blok.
Provincial education department spokesperson Howard Ndaba told The Free Stater by telephone that the school closure is upon the recommendation of local health authorities.
“We have been advised by the provincial health department to close the school until the end of this month,” said Ndaba.
“This will help us manage the situation and ensure the school is decontaminated before the learners return,” he added.
No teachers have tested positive but one support staff member is infected.
None of the learners have been hospitalised.
“It’s only the learners testing positive. None of the teachers have been infected. This could be due to the fact that most of them have been vaccinated,” said Ndaba.
“I think it’s important for the anti-vaxxers to know that the vaccines work. It’s helping alleviate the situation,” he added.
Learners in Grade 12 are however expected to continue going to school.
Ndaba said the school has not been doing well in the National Senior Certificate exams in recent years and they don’t want the learners to lag behind as they are due for tests on August 30.
Heide remains open but the situation at the school is being closely monitored.
Last week, classes ended abruptly at Grey College Secondary School after 60 new cases of COVID-19 were reported there.
At least 53 learners and seven teachers at the school tested positive for COVID-19.
The principal of the school and his deputy were among those infected.
The school will also remain closed until the end of the month although classes resumed virtually on Monday.