COVID-19: Taverns identified as hotspots, students test positive

Amid concerns of a second wave of COVID-19, places where alcohol is being served have slowly emerged as hotspots for the disease.

This is in the wake of reports of people testing positive for the coronavirus after being part of social gatherings, in which alcohol is consumed. The latest example being 31 students from Fort Hare University’s East London campus in the Eastern Cape, contracting COVID-19 after a night of partying.

This prompted a response from both the learning institution and the provincial health department, which both said the students had been at a tavern in Quigney and failed to exercise the correct health measures like social distancing and wearing masks.

“This non-compliance was also evident on the 10th of October 2020 where the ‘10-10-2020 Bash’ was held in Quigney,” a joint statement said in part.

University records 33 COVID-19 cases

The tavern was reportedly packed with more than 300 patrons – some of whom drank from the same bottle and danced close to each other.

Under Level 1 of the lockdown, alcohol purchases can be made between 09:00 and 17:00 on weekdays. However sales are not permitted on weekends and public holidays.

“To date, the university has recorded 33 active cases in a space of a week. This number includes two staff members,” said the university’s spokesperson, Tandi Mapukata.

Mapukata added that by Friday, 16 October 2020, the COVID-19 Investigation Team had been established with the help from the health department.

The spokesperson also said 22 students were tested, while 503 more tests were expected to be performed by the National Health Laboratory Service, which provided a mobile testing facility.

The university said it would remain under surveillance and that the process of tracing contracts and testing was still underway.

“Lockdown conditions in residences where some students have already tested positive have been instituted until all students have tested and received their results.”

The university is said to be in the process of securing a quarantine site for the East London campus, in addition to the 134-bed quarantine and isolation facility in Alice.

“Staff and students are encouraged to observe national COVID-19 health and safety regulations to limit transmissions,” she added.

Mapukata has further called on people to wear masks when in public and within university premises and for the staff and students to refrain from participating in social gatherings.