Grade 7 pupils, teachers test positive for Covid-19 in North West

The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the North West education system has increased to 12, said the department.

Three are grade 7 pupils, seven are teachers, one is a principal and one an office-based employee.

Spokesperson Elias Malindi said the affected schools have since been closed.

MEC for education in the province Maphefo Matsemela said support would be offered to those infected.

“Sadly, we have registered a sum of 12 confirmed cases of coronavirus in our department. I take this time to pray for everyone affected by the virus and for a full recovery together with their loved ones, and I would also like to indicate that as the department we will continue to render them our full support”, she said.

Mmatsema said the closed schools would only be reopened once they had been decontaminated with the guidance of the department of health.