Concern as more Limpopo healthcare workers test positive
Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba says it is concerning that more and more Limpopo healthcare workers are testing positive for Covid-19.
LIMPOPO – A recent surge in positive cases of Covid-19 among medical personnel is a concern according to Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba.
Three medical doctors and 12 nursing operations managers at the Pietersburg Provincial Hospital recently tested positive for the virus. These positive cases among healthcare workers followed 15 other healthcare workers testing positive for the virus at Philadelphia Hospital.
“Healthcare workers remain our last line of defence. We are worried when they get infected in numbers because the expectation is to have them take care of the sick. We are, however, comforted by the fact that up to date, we have been registering a 100% recovery rate among them,” said Ramathuba.
The department called on healthcare workers not to compromise on the wearing of PPE. “Avoid utilising our nurses’ tea rooms and kitchens where social distancing and the avoiding of sharing of utensils become difficult. Continue to practice infection prevention and control practices at all times,” the statement said.
Currently, 3 039 people have been infected. Of these, 1 850 are active cases, 38 deaths and 1 151 recoveries.
Ramathuba wished the healthcare workers who tested positive, a speedy recovery and reiterated that people should avoid the stigmatisation of those who test positive.
Read more: [WATCH] Fear of the virus fuels stigmatisation, says MEC
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