The university's spokesperson, Lacea Loader, in a communique sent to students, has advised them that the number of new positive Covid-19 cases at the UFS has more than doubled. In this communique, she indicates that the cases went from 15 to 32 since last week. Loader adds that during the week of 4 to 11 May 2021, a further 103 staff members and students were quarantined. This as the province is officially in the third wave of Covid-19.

“The significant rise in positive cases over the past weeks is a matter of great concern to the management of the University of the Free State. This, as the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), reports that the Free State is currently experiencing the third wave,” Loader adds.

She has further warned residents about reducing the risk of transmission. “Reduce the risk of exposure to Covid-19 by wearing your masks in all public and shared spaces and observing social distancing protocols.

"Our students are also encouraged to familiarise themselves with the UFS-Covid-19 Social Compact by downloading the document,” she further adds.

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