COVID-19 Information
CPUT Contingency Plans/Protocols
Latest Communique
Dear Staff and Students
Whilst the Fifth Wave of COVID-19 infections is proving to have a lesser impact on the country than previous waves, we are still experiencing a significant level of COVID-19 cases at CPUT, albeit that they are less severe than before. COVID-19 is still dangerous for older people and those with compromised immune systems. We hereby appeal to the university community to continue to keep safe and maintain safety protocols.
A driving factor of a potential rise in infections is the non-compliance with regards to mask-wearing on campus. This is especially evident on the shuttles and buses transporting students between campuses. Many students are observed not wearing masks while on the buses, and this is a reputational risk while also posing a risk of infection.
We appeal to everyone who may use these shuttles to please wear their masks for their own safety and that of their fellow passengers.
Kind Regards
CPUT COVID-19 Health Cluster
Vaccinations
Dear Staff and Students
The vaccination program for all adults is steadily gaining ground. We are happy to report that we have experienced a significant increase in demand, particularly from CPUT students. In response, the CPUT Vaccination Centre has increased our daily capacity to 500 vaccinations per day and if demand continues to increase we have planned for additional capacity to be created at an outside venue to accommodate CPUT staff and students. Our aim is to focus particularly on CPUT students and create sufficient capacity to allow for the vaccination of up to 1000 staff and students per day over the next 2 months.
We would like to encourage all students and staff who have not yet been vaccinated to register for vaccination on the CPUT OPA (accessed via the CPUT website or https://opa.cput.ac.za) and on the EVDS self registration link: https://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za/#/.
Additional information on vaccination and on the registration and appointment bookings is shared below.
How do I get an appointment at the CPUT Vaccination Centre?
Those who are eligible can register for an appointment by clicking the following link:
https://opa.cput.ac.za. Log into the OPA, and the COVID-19 Vaccination Registration link will be present in the top menu options. Once you have completed the registration form the vaccination team will make contact via email, providing a date and time for your appointment.
What should I bring with me to my appointment?
All clients are required to bring their ID document or drivers licence and a staff or student card.
What to expect when you arrive at the CPUT Vaccination Centre for your appointment?
On arrival at the Centre on the date of the appointment, clients will go through a COVID-19 screening process and will then be booked into the centre. Clients who are not already registered on the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) will be assisted to do so (this can prolong the process of vaccination by up to 30 minutes, clients are encouraged to register beforehand if they can)
Clients will then undergo a vaccination pre-screening process as well as a consent process for receiving the vaccine. Once completed, the vaccination will be administered after which clients will be seated in an observation area for 15 to 30 minutes. On completion of the observation period, clients will be booked for their follow-up slot for their second dose of the vaccine (If receiving the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine).
Can I get an appointment for my life partner, spouse or family members at the CPUT Vaccination Centre?
Yes, However they would need to book the appointment via the EVDS and will not be able to book the appointment via the OPA. Once registered on the EVDS, access the EVDS booking site via the following link, https://vaccine.booking.health.gov.za, when prompted, select the CPUT vaccination centre as the site and choose from available booking times on the EVDS system for our site. The CPUT Vaccination Centre will also accept public walk-ins, however our capacity for assisting walk-ins is limited and persons without appointments may be asked to wait until we can confirm that some of our booked appointments have not arrived before they can be assisted.
What happens if I cannot attend or miss my appointment?
Due to the number of appointments currently being managed we are not in a position to book appointments based on client preference or request via the OPA. Should a client wish to book a specfic time and date they are welcome to use the EVDS booking system at the following link: https://vaccine.booking.health.gov.za, when prompted, select the CPUT vaccination centre as the site and choose from available booking times on the EVDS system for our site. If you are also booked an additional appointment via the OPA you can select the one which is most convenient.
If you miss your appointment we will rebook your appointment up to a maximum of three times on alternate dates, similar to the EVDS at the first available opportunity. After the third missed appointment you will need to make contact with the centre directly to reactivate your booking.
Will I be assisted if I arrive at the centre without an appointment?
As mentioned above, the CPUT vaccination centre will accept walk-in clients when our capacity allows. We however ask that clients wait for their appointments and adhere to both appointment dates and times to allow us to ensure good service and maintain COVID-19 protocol compliance.
Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe?
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and have been studied in some of the largest and most comprehensive randomised clinical trials for any vaccines to date. As with any other medication, COVID-19 vaccines have been thoroughly studied for adverse effects and have undergone substantial independent scientific review before being made available to the public. Despite this not always being clear when reported in the media, serious adverse effects from COVID-19 vaccines are very, very rare. All persons receiving the vaccinations are also screened before to ensure that we can prevent any adverse event. All vaccination centres administering COVID-19 vaccines are also equipped to deal any adverse effects in the very rare instances where they occur. The global consensus amongst recognised medical experts and organisations are that any risks associated to the vaccines are very small compared to the incredibly high risk posed by COVID-19.
Are the COVID19 vaccines effective?
Yes! Currently available data from across the world indicates that being vaccinated reduces an individual’s risk of contracting COVID 19 and reduces the risk of requiring hospitalisation for severe COVID-19 and death from COVID-19 complication significantly. This data includes studies about the protection vaccines offer from the currently dominant Delta variant of the virus. Locally, our hospitals are reporting that the vast majority of patients being admitted to hospital and the intensive care units with COVID 19 are not vaccinated.
Being vaccinated it the smart and responsible choice.
Kind Regards
CPUT Vaccination Centre Team
Protocols
Face to Face Assessment Protocol
Human Capital COVID-19 Update 24 July
CPUT Staff Contingency Plan No. 2 - 1st June
CPUT Student Contingency Plan No 2. - 30 May 2020
COVID-19 Residence Contingency Plan
Research, Innovation, Technology and Partnerships Business Continuity Plan
CPUT Student Contingency Plan - 8 May 2020
CPUT Staff Contingency Plan- 8 May 2020
DHET COVID-19 Statements
General COVID-19 Resources:
Please click on the pdf links below.
General Advice Leaflet (English)
General Advice Leaflet(isiXhosa)
General Advice Leaflet(Afrikaans)
Higher Health COVID-19 Protocols and Guides
HIGHER HEALTH is a national government agency that seeks to assist the two million students that attend 26 universities and 50 TVET colleges in South Africa to improve their health and well being. They have compiled a a series of protocols for universities to adopt:
Guidelines for fieldwork during COVID-19
Higher Health Protocol on Managing Cluster Outbreaks
Higher Health Guidelines for PSET Facilities
Protocol on Screening, Testing and Linkage to Care
A guide to the Higher Health COVID-19 App
Protocol on invigilation of tests and exams
Useful External Covid 19 Weblinks:
Western Cape Government Covid-19 Dashboard
Discovery Health Covid-19 Website
National Institute for Communicable Diseases
