Learner tests positive for Covid-19
Second incident
16 September 2020 | Education
Roosmarie September; Principal, Namib High” “… learners may continue with class and examinations.”
Swakopmund • [email protected]
A learner of Namib High School in Swakopmund tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday.
This was confirmed by principal Roosmarie September, who said that the school was informed on Monday that a grade 11 learner had tested positive for the virus.
Social media was abuzz on Tuesday afternoon, with rumours stating that the learner’s parents sent the child to school, knowing that the learner was positive.
“Unfortunately, people who have no interest in our school, have taken this issue completely out of context. However, after consultation with the ministry of health and the directorate of education, we were informed that there is no need for the school or hostel to close down. The two halls where the grade 11’s are writing their examinations was disinfected on Tuesday afternoon,” the principal said.
She explained that the school operates in a bubble system.
“The grades are kept separate, so the learners may continue with classes and examinations. As a precautionary measure, the health ministry has requested that all the grade 11 learners be tested. However, I want to stress that learners will only be tested with their parents’ consent.”
September apologised for any inconvenience and panic that this may have caused, assuring parents and learners that the school will continue with safety measures at the school.
She reiterated that learners must be kept at home if members from their household test positive or if the learner is a primary contact of a positive person.
“Parents need to inform the school when a parent/child/household has been exposed to Covid-19, so that we can make the necessary arrangements at school. This is part of standard operating procedures. All parties are urged to remain calm and continue practicing the necessary Covid-19 safety protocols.”
This is the second Covid-19 positive incident at the school, after a staff member tested positive in August. Fortunately, the school and hostel did not have to close down, after the positive diagnoses came 14 days after the staff member was last on the school property.
A learner of Namib High School in Swakopmund tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday.
This was confirmed by principal Roosmarie September, who said that the school was informed on Monday that a grade 11 learner had tested positive for the virus.
Social media was abuzz on Tuesday afternoon, with rumours stating that the learner’s parents sent the child to school, knowing that the learner was positive.
“Unfortunately, people who have no interest in our school, have taken this issue completely out of context. However, after consultation with the ministry of health and the directorate of education, we were informed that there is no need for the school or hostel to close down. The two halls where the grade 11’s are writing their examinations was disinfected on Tuesday afternoon,” the principal said.
She explained that the school operates in a bubble system.
“The grades are kept separate, so the learners may continue with classes and examinations. As a precautionary measure, the health ministry has requested that all the grade 11 learners be tested. However, I want to stress that learners will only be tested with their parents’ consent.”
September apologised for any inconvenience and panic that this may have caused, assuring parents and learners that the school will continue with safety measures at the school.
She reiterated that learners must be kept at home if members from their household test positive or if the learner is a primary contact of a positive person.
“Parents need to inform the school when a parent/child/household has been exposed to Covid-19, so that we can make the necessary arrangements at school. This is part of standard operating procedures. All parties are urged to remain calm and continue practicing the necessary Covid-19 safety protocols.”
This is the second Covid-19 positive incident at the school, after a staff member tested positive in August. Fortunately, the school and hostel did not have to close down, after the positive diagnoses came 14 days after the staff member was last on the school property.
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