14 MUST students test positive for COVID-19

A total of 14 students from Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) have tested positive for COVID-19, faceofmalawi has established.

This has been confirmed in a statement released on Thursday made available to FOM reporter.

“The University would like to advise that in the past 48 hours, 14 students h ave tested Covid-19 positive and looking at the trend, it appears the transmission is moving fast. The positive cases are from MMB, MBE and ESC Year 4 classes,” reads in part the statement.

Management ha since ordered all students from the affected classes to report to the Covid-19 Testing Lab for screening.

“So far, the majority of MMB class have already done this but ESC and MBE students are yet to do that. Please make sure you go for this screening urgently.

“All face to face classes have forthwith been suspended and teaching will now be through online platform until further notice,” added the statement.

Below is the statement;

Dear Staff Members

The University would like to advise that in the past 48 hours, 14 students h ave tested Covid-19 positive and looking at the trend, it appears the transmission is moving fast. The positive cases are from MMB, MBE and ESC Year 4 classes.

To ensure that we stop this spread, management has come up with the following measures:

i) All MMB, MBE and ESC Year 4 students should report to the Covid-19 Testing Lab for screening. So far, the majority of MMB class have already done this but ESC and MBE students are yet to do that. Please make sure you go for this screening urgently.

ii) All face to face classes have forthwith been suspended and teaching will now be through online platform until further notice.

iii) The Library will be closed from tomorrow until Monday, April 12, 2021

iv) Mid-term examinations have since been differed.

v) Management has solicited support from Blantyre DHO to ensure that all students and staff are screened for Covid on campus. The tests will run from tomorrow, Friday, April 9 to Sunday, April 11. This mass screening is important as it will give management a basis for further action. As such, all staff members are urged to cooperate.

vi) Management will be disinfecting the campus over the weekend.

vii) All HoD and managers are advised to come up with duty roasters that would see staff members under their watch coming in shifts. Otherwise, those staff members who are able to work from home are encouraged to do so.

viii) Any meetings that were scheduled for tomorrow onwards are suspended unless they can be held through online platforms such as Zoom.
Meanwhile, all staff members are urged to keep calm as the university is doing its best to address the challenge. More importantly, any efforts by management to address the challenge rely on staff members’ cooperation as the problem requires concerted efforts and personal responsibility. All staff members are thus encouraged to follow all Covid-19 preventive measures such as social distancing, consistent and rightful wearing of face masks, and hand washing or sanitising.

It is worrying that despite the earlier warnings that Covid-19 remains a threat on campus, some staff members relaxed and moved about without any regard to the prescribed preventive measures.

Lastly, the university reiterates that all prescribed measures and consultations with relevant authorities are underway and any new developments will be communicated as they happen.
Regards
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University Registrar
Malawi University of Science and Technology
P O Box 5196
Limbe
(265) 01 478 192 (direct office)
(265) 0888 507079 (mobile)