Spokesperson, Geoffrey van der Merwe, says 14 educators, 80 learners and three school support staff have tested positive in the past week. He confirms this is a decrease of Covid-19 infections in the past two consecutive weeks and are hopeful the number will not increase. 

Unlike in the past weeks where schools had to close down due to the pandemic, he confirms all public schools in the province are fully operational. The Free State Education Department’s Howard Ndaba confirms schools in the province are also not experiencing much positive cases as compared to the previous months. 

The two provinces are currently ranked amongst top three provinces with the highest Covid-19 active cases following KwaZulu-Natal.

 “The Department requests all school communities to remain vigilant and adhere to the Covid-19 regulations and non-pharmaceutical interventions as we approach the one week school break.

School communities should ensure that we limit the social interaction and movement of our children to ensure that the school break doesn't not contribute to a further increase in infections in our communities” highlighted van der Merwe.

Meanwhile, both Ndaba and van der Merwe are appealing to teachers who have not vaccinated to get their jab.

OFM News