POLOKWANE – The Limpopo Department of Health has reiterated that there is no need for the public to spread panic, after inaccurate reports surfaced early this morning suggesting that an employee of Woolworths Mall of the North had tested positive for Covid-19.
In a statement, the department said as far as they were concerned, the person who was identified was Covid case number 136 who, during contact-tracing, mentioned that she visited two shops at the mall on 23 May. Subsequent to receiving her results, she called the store managers of the stores she visited.
“As such, the department is of the firm view that there is no need for members of the public to panic for as long as they follow the set guidelines to avoid contracting the virus. This panic and pandemonium about such an issue unfortunately perpetuates the stigma attached to those who test positive for the virus and is also an indication to us that some of our people are not adhering to the set guidelines of sanitising, practicing social distance and covering themselves.”
According to the department, a team has been dispatched to the mall to provide education to staff involved in the two stores, who all tested negative for Covid-19.
The MEC warned the public against falling victim to fake news, and to ensure that they source their news from credible news sources and not on social media. “We call upon people to refrain from sharing these false reports as that equates to spreading fake news, which is a prosecutable offence.” Reporting on Covid-19 cases must be left in the hands of the designated authorities, she advised.
Earlier today, Mall of the North General Manager, Sumari de Ridder, confirmed that a shopper had informed the store managers after receiving Covid-19 test results.
Read more: Mall of the North issues statement after shopper tests positive for Covid-19
“The mall remains fully open for trade and is committed to create a safe shopping environment. The correct protocols were followed and the relevant authorities were notified,” De Ridder said.
“In accordance with government protocols, the shops involved implemented the screening of staff members, and undertook full decontamination and sanitising within their store. In addition to Mall of the North’s usual nightly deep-clean regime, we undertook an additional disinfection of the entire mall,” a statement issued earlier, announced.
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