Fourteen staff members at Themba Hospital test positive for Covid-19

Fourteen staff members at Themba Hospital in the City of Mbombela Local Municipality have tested positive for Covid-19. The employees have already been quarantined and decontamination of affected units is already in progress. The hospital will, however, continue to operate under strict supervision.

The department closed the Siphosensimbi Community Health Centre (CHC) in Emalahleni after six staff members tested positive for Covid-19. The facility is being decontaminated. The community is requested to use Empumelelweni CHC to access healthcare services.

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All staff members who were in contact with the infected employees at the hospital and community health centre are being traced. The tracing team is also busy with the tracing of patients who were also in direct contact with the staff.
“With the winter season we expect the number of infections to rise hence we are also ready to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Manzini.

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The MEC calls upon people to continue taking precautions by remembering to

• Wear masks at all times
• Maintain social distancing
• Regularly wash your hands, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds or sanitise your hands
• Frequently clean and disinfect touched objects and surfaces
• Ensure that you cover your mouth with a tissue or elbow when you cough and sneeze
• Avoid touching your own face, eyes, nose, or mouth.

All businesses are urged to adhere to the lockdown regulations. People must be on the lookout for symptoms that include fever, coughing, shortness of breath, and a sore throat which may only appear between two and 14 days after exposure to the virus.

“Make sure you get tested if you notice these symptoms,” concluded Manzini.