It has not been easy for essential workers during the lockdown as it is business as usual for them.
The GCN spoke to the metro’s spokesperson Themba Gadebe about the state of Ekurhuleni during lockdown.
A journalist asked him about Duduza Clinic being closed after a nurse tested positive for the coronavirus and how this case had affected staff morale in other clinics in the metro.
The nurse had attended a prayer breakfast at Divine Restoration Ministries in Ribblesdale, Bloemfontein, on March 10.
“Our staff morale is very high.
“Our health practitioners have demonstrated unparalleled patriotic feelings and high professionalism during this difficult period.
“They continue to serve the communities,” said Gadebe.
He added that the City has put measures in place to make sure it runs smoothly during lockdown.
“All our essential services are working during lockdown.
“The 93 clinics are open and also our 24-hour clinics are operational.
“Waste collection will continue according to the approved calendar,” he said.
“Should waste removal services be interrupted on a scheduled day, residents can be assured that it will be collected the next day.
“Our customer call centres will also be available during lockdown to offer assistance.”
He said most residents have been adhering to lockdown rules.
“The majority of residents are adhering to the lockdown rules and we appreciate that. However, there have been incidents of people failing to adhere to the rules and the EMPD, with other law enforcement agencies, are dealing with those.
“We encourage people to continue staying at home and to keep adhering to the rules,” said Gadebe.
The metro has also launched screening and testing sites.
“The sites are coping very well.
“Patients will be screened on arrival, and tested only if they meet the test criteria.
“The testing sites are open between 8am and 4pm,” said Gadebe.
In making sure the metro is able to track residents who are infected six teams have been established to undergo contact tracing of citizens who have potentially contracted Covid-19.
Each team consists of environmental health practitioners, doctors, professional nurses, surveillance officers, and health promoters.
Furthermore, two sites have been identified as quarantine sites, namely Nokuthula Ngwenya Community Health Centre in Nigel and Esselen Park in Thembisa.
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