Interim closure of Marydale school following Covid-19

The Northern Cape Department of Education has decided on an interim closure of Sonskyn Intermediate School in Marydale due to an outbreak of Covid-19 at the school. A total of three (3) Educators and twenty (20) learners of Sonskyn Intermediate School have reportedly tested positive during the past week. MEC for Education, Zolile Monakali has noted with great concern the resurgence of new infections in our schools and the outbreak of Covid-19 in both Namakwa and Pixley Ka Seme districts respectively.

“During the past two weeks, we have seen a gradual increase in COVID-19 infections of Educators, Learners and Support staff in our schools. The previous week we had 36 positive cases in Calvinia where we had to close four schools in the area. This is concerning because we are hardly two months into the academic year and already seeing such a spike. We are however comforted by the swift response of the health workers from our sister Department of Health who have already allocated health workers in the area in order to contain the situation. Our partnership with the Department of Health and Department of Social Development is proving to be valuable”.

The Department of Health has already allocated health workers to the area to conduct mass testing in order to curb a further spread of the Coronavirus.

The Department will develop a Curriculum catch up plan to recover the lost teaching and learning time while the affected schools are being disinfected. The Department will also continue to monitor the situation very closely and urge parents to remain calm and keep all learners in isolation. We must ensure that wearing of masks remain compulsory in public, social distancing is maintained, sanitise and wash hands regularly.

*Press release

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