This as it is believed two of the learners in grades one and three at the Bloemfontein school might have been in contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19. Officials on the ground indicate the learners and parents are being screened for any symptoms of the virus, which include a cough, sore throat, fever and difficulty breathing. They are not all being tested as yet. 

OFM News spoke to a parent on the promise of anonymity who raised concerns around the lack of organisation of the massive screening process. She says when parents arrived at 08:00 am in the morning, the gates of the school were closed and there was no protective gear at that stage.

She says parents received a voice note on Thursday morning on the school's WhatsApp group, informing them that they needed to come for screening. She is unhappy regarding the lack of order of the entire process. She is further concerned that there isn’t crowd control and more than 100 people are at the premises presently.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize accompanied by Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela and provincial Health MEC, Montsheng Tsiu, are at the school, meeting with parents regarding the matter. Mkhize is expected to address media and provide official statistics at the provincial health headquarters shortly.

The number of people who’ve tested positive for the novel virus has soared to 150, as announced by Ramaphosa on Thursday afternoon. The vast majority of these cases are in the Gauteng province.

OFM News