POLOKWANE – The medical doctor who was on Monday announced as the first person from the province to have contracted the COVID-19 (Corona) virus, worked at a hospital outside the city before he was positively diagnosed. This was confirmed to Review by two independent sources, the identify of whom we are withholding on legal advice.
During a press briefing held by Dr Phophi Ramathuba, the MEC of Health on Monday, it was categorically stated that the person who had been identified as the first Corona patient, had not come into contact with anybody. In the same breath, the department confirmed having started the process of contact referencing, which means identifying persons he had been into contact with.
Read more: [WATCH] Coronavirus: 1st case in Limpopo ‘imported’
The man is said to have returned to South Africa recently after a trip to Europe. A source confirmed that the doctor had operated on patients in the outpatient section of the hospital, and had contact with other medical staff and workers at the hospital. Pressed for comment on what is being done to safeguard staff and patients, Thilivhali Muavha, the MEC’s Spokesperson, replied via WhatsApp that “our team at public health is currently dealing with those logistics”.
Muavha later phoned and asked that the name of the hospital not be divulged “as it would create chaos”. He said those persons who possibly had contact with the doctor, would be informed in groups and isolated.
“The team is currently identifying these patients.”As per protocol, the name of the doctor cannot be published to protect his identity.
Read more: Polokwane : Curro parent in contact with Limpopo’s 1st COVID-19 patient
Curro Holdings has since issued a statement confirming that one of the parents of a Gr 10 learner had been in contact with the first person in the province to have contracted COVID-19 (Corona virus).
The learner attended school up until Monday. The parents and learner, who were all tested for the virus, are currently in self-quarantine. The results of the tests will be available in the next two days.
The department says this calls for intensifying the fight against the spread of the virus. Ramathuba urged residents to keep to the guidelines on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19. “Basic hygiene is the only way in which we are going to fight this virus.
Anyone who has travelled abroad should self-quarantine for 14 days. Should you show symptoms in this period, contact the department so we can dispatch a team,” the MEC said. She confirmed that specialists from the province received training on a national level, to conduct tests locally. The procedure and protocol remain the same, however: once results are sourced, this will first be sent to a national level from where an official case of COVID-19 will be declared.
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