Netcare Sunward Park Hospital staff test positive for Covid-19

Netcare Sunward Park Hospital confirmed that some of the staff members at the hospital have tested positive for Covid-19, despite the institution’s efforts to safeguard patients and health-care workers.

According to the hospital’s general manager, Dr Zecharai Esterhuizen, management took immediate action to contain a possible spread of the infection.

After some staff members tested positive for the virus this week, the emergency department at the hospital had since May 27 been placed on divert for ambulance emergencies, while the hospital theatres were temporarily closed.

“Tracking and tracing of healthcare workers, other staff members, patients and doctors who were in contact with the staff members were immediately undertaken in conjunction with guidance by an independent epidemiologist,” said Esterhuizen.

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The precautionary measures taken by the hospital to mitigate the spread of the pandemic virus include 14 days of monitoring and self-isolation for high-risk nursing and support staff, as well as doctors. Netcare is also providing accommodation for staff members who cannot self-isolate safely at home, at no cost to the staff.

All individuals who tested positive will be re-tested once this quarantine period is completed and will only return to work if their test results are negative.

“The theatre complex has been deep-cleaned, disinfected and decontaminated. We have also deployed an ultraviolet disinfection robot in this respect. These robots have proved highly effective in destroying viruses, bacteria and fungal spores in health-care facilities. The theatre complex has nevertheless been closed for seven days as an additional precautionary measure,” explained Esterhuizen.

Esterhuizen noted that walk-in patients in need of emergency care would be assisted, while the hospital has also made special arrangements in the event that emergency procedures are required during this time.

“We have been cooperating closely with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and the Department of Health (DoH) on an ongoing basis and have aligned our clinical protocols for managing Covid-19 directly with their clinical guidelines.

“In addition, we are continuously conducting training in our group?s facilities in accordance with DoH and NICD guidelines and have implemented comprehensive measures to detect, identify and respond appropriately to any suspected or confirmed cases of Covid-19 at all our group’s facilities,” noted Esterhuizen.

The health institution pointed out that it has been shown that the virus can be transmitted by carriers before they show symptoms that can be tested for.

“In line with our approach of taking an abundance of caution to safeguard all who work and are cared for at our facilities, Netcare hospitals do daily risk assessments and screening, including temperature monitoring of all persons at the hospitals’ premises, including staff members, doctors, contract service providers, persons coming for doctor consultations or for radiological investigations, as well as the few visitors with special exemption. As we have seen globally, Covid-19 is a highly virulent and contagious virus. Therefore, taking swift and comprehensive action when a case is identified is of key importance in containing the spread thereof,” added Esterhuizen.

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