Covid-19: Doctors infected by Covid-19 did not contract virus from patients
Health workers who have tested positive for Covid-19 are in the provinces of Limpopo, Free State, Gauteng and Mpumalanga.
Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize announced the latest confirmed cases of Covid-19 late on 28 March, with the number now at 1 187.
Mkhize noted in the statement that the latest figures are showing a worrying trend of healthcare workers both in the public and private hospitals having confirmed cases.
He said, “We mention this because health workers are in the frontline of this battle. They are exposed not only to their families but to the patients they are meant to treat.”
The confirmed Covid-19 cases of health workers are in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Free State and Gauteng. He has stressed that none of the healthcare workers contracted the virus from the patients they were treating.
A doctor in Limpopo tested positive after he travelled abroad from holiday and started experiencing symptoms on his return, he quarantined himself immediately. His 14-day quarantine period has ended and the Department of Health was pleased to announce that he has now tested negative.
In Mpumalanga, a doctor travelled abroad, days after his return he started experiencing symptoms, he had already been interacting with patients and staff. The health minister said he tested positive and those in contact with him were also tested and quarantined. “A decision was made to close a section of the hospital,” Mkhize said. The section of the hospital is expected to reopen sometime this week.
In the Free State province, a total of five health workers tested positive and in Gauteng, six medical doctors have tested positive. The department has said all health workers have mild symptoms and are currently in good health.
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