Student from Velabahleke High School gets infected

Velabahleke High School, one of the top-performing schools in Umlazi closed briefly after a pupil tested positive for COVID-19.

The KwaZulu-Natal school sent pupils home early on Wednesday 15 July and instructed them to return on Monday this week.

Despite this, others at the school are still concerned. One classmate of the infected pupil said she was scared and feared for her life.

A teacher, who asked not to be identified, also spoke out.

“We acknowledge that our lives are now in danger, especially pupils’ lives because some have come in contact with the infected learner,” the teacher said.

“We now more than ever need to be careful and take all the necessary precautions”.

Velabahleke principal, Bheki Cedric Mhlongo said the school was following protocols as set out by the Department of Health and assures that the school is a safe place for children during this Pandemic. He also said that any student that shows symptoms will be sent home and can only come back to school after getting their Covid-19 results.

“I believe that school is the safest place to be, especially for matriculants in my school. They start at 06:00 and go home at 18:30, that way they don’t come into contact with many people.

“I am in contact with the infected learner’s family and she is currently in quarantine and will come back to school after 14 days”, he added.