Eastern Cape Education MEC, Fundile Gade says he has learnt with shock that 98 learners from Ethembeni High School in Burgersdorp have tested positive for COVID-19 while they are currently busy with their trial examinations.
He says due to this massive outbreak, learners coming from both Burgersdorp and Middleburg have been affected.
Gade says a multi-departmental team consisting of the local municipality, the departments of Health, Public Works and Education has been established to manage the spread of the outbreak and advise on measures suitable for learners.
The MEC says the team has advised the department to allow learners to write, as there are no reasons to stop them since they are medically fit.
Invigilators have been advised to use Personal Protective Equipment and scripts will also be monitored for a specified period before being marked.
All contacts of the 98 positive learners are being tracked and traced urgently to curb the spread of the virus.
According to the Gade, the teams on the ground will assess the situation daily and advise should this outbreak require the activation of a multi-departmental Disaster Management team.
"A report submitted by the Department of Health has indicated that 552 learners will also be quarantined. The report further confirmed that contact tracing has started", said Gade.
