Metro closes Duduza Clinic indefinitely after confirmed case of Covid-19

Duduza – On Wednesday, the City of Ekurhuleni closed the Duduza Clinic indefinitely after a nurse tested positive for Covid-19.

Spokesperson to the mayor Phakamile Mbengashe explains that the facility and the surrounding area will be sanitised during the period of closure to kill any traces of the Covid-19 virus that may have survived on surfaces.

The nurse in question had attended the prayer breakfast at the Divine Restoration Ministries in Ribblesdale, Bloemfontein, on March 10.

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She underwent a polymerase chain reaction test for Covid-19 on March 30, after being identified as a contact of the Bloemfontein gathering.

The results returned positive the next day and the nurse has subsequently been placed under quarantine and is currently under medical observation.

Clinical staff who work at the clinic and have displayed symptoms of Covid-19 have been tested and are currently under self-isolation as they await their test results.

Staff who have not displayed symptoms have been placed on special leave to self-isolate until further notice.

Potential contacts are currently being traced and will be tested for Covid-19 to mitigate against community transmissions.

Mbengashe says two mobile clinics will be deployed to the area to serve the community for the period of the closure.

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Staff from surrounding clinics will be deployed to the mobile clinics and will be required to wear personal protective equipment and practice stringent hygiene protocols when working with the public.

Mayor Mzwandile Masina says: “We continue to call for calm within our communities as we respond to cases of Covid-19 in and around Ekurhuleni.

“What is of the utmost importance is that we isolate the virus wherever it rears its ugly head.

“As a city, we wish our nurse a speedy recovery.

“It is important that I reiterate that the fastest way to avert community transmissions of Covid-19 is to stay home and adhere to the regulations of the 21-day nation-wide lockdown.”

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