UCT Vice Chancellor, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng announced on Friday that the University has a fifth positive case of Covid-19. This time it’s a student.
“We previously confirmed four other cases – three colleagues and a student – this brings the total now to five. Unlike the previous four cases, this case was confirmed in KwaZulu-Natal,” said the professor through the University website.
She said the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Department of Health confirmed the case through the prescribed protocol and is caring for the student and conducting contact tracing. She also pleaded for confidentiality when it comes to disclosing infected person’s names.
“Please note we are committed to maintain confidentiality in relation to the medical conditions of staff and students. This includes the information in relation to testing for whatever infectious or non-infectious diseases a person may have and is an important ethical imperative. Breaking that confidentiality is not acceptable and for healthcare professionals, who include health scientists, it is against all moral codes. Naming people in e-mails or over social media platforms or releasing information about them that could identify them must please be avoided,” said Phakeng.
