Covid-19: Masakhane nurse creates a scare after tests for coronavirus

The Gauteng Department of Health is tracing those who may have come in contact with a nurse working at the Alexandra Health Care Centre who had tested positive for the coronavirus.

It’s said the nurse who allegedly worked for some days despite exhibiting symptoms of the virus, has left colleagues worried about their own status and that of their families. Similar concerns were expressed to the media by some residents who went to the facility for medical attention around the time the nurse was still at work.

Confirming the incident, provincial MMC for Health Bandile Masuku said they were looking into the matter and the clinic had to be closed while the tracing was conducted and the facility disinfected.

Commenting on the incident, Ward 105 councillor Teffo Raphadu said the revelation was of concern to health officials, patients and residents. He urged for those suspecting to have come in contact with the nurse to avail themselves for testing to prevent the possible spread of the virus in their area which is vulnerable because of overcrowding. Raphadu commended the closure of the facility while appealing for calm as the tracing continued.

Councillor Shadrack Mkhonto expressed similar concern and urged those displaying any symptoms of the coronavirus to subject themselves to testing. He called for all possible measures to be taken at the clinic to reassure the public of its safety before they visit for medical help.

The revelation also coincided with the pronouncement by Premier David Makhura that Gauteng was the national epicentre of the virus.

In Alex, there have been concerns about people continuing to disregard the mitigating measures. “It’s worrying that they [residents] continue to loiter around.

“We urge those who claim to be going to shops for essential food to rather buy in bulk in order to spend more time indoors,” said Sergeant Simphiwe Mbatha, Alexandra Police Station spokesperson.

Councillor, Adolph Marema appealed to the residents to comply with the lockdown regulations by remaining indoors except when going out for necessities.

He urged them to respect field workers who move around the township encouraging residents to comply in a bid to mitigate the spread of the virus. “If you don’t stay at home, don’t obey social distancing and hang around many people, the virus will spread and kill all of us,” Marema said.

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