Out-of-town practitioner tests positive for Covid-19
Authorities are satisfied with the hospital's response and strict safety measures are in place.
An out-of-town health care practitioner who had consulted at Hibiscus Hospital in Port Shepstone has tested positive for Covid-19.
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Richard Mills, CEO of Hibiscus Hospital Group, said the hospital was informed on March 27 that the practitioner, who has since returned home, had tested positive having tested negative two weeks earlier. The practitioner has not returned to the hospital since testing positive.
“The hospital immediately contacted Ugu District Health, local Centers for Disease Control and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases,” said Mr Mills.
“The above authorities immediately provided the hospital with guidelines and management protocols to follow and they were satisfied with our response,” he added.
Ugu District Municipality’s Department of Health has emphasised the importance of EVERYONE, including health care practitioners completing the information form, which is provided at the main entrance to the hospital, on a daily basis.
For this reason the hospital has closed all other entry points, besides casualty which is open for emergencies only.
“We continually reiterate with all staff on how to follow the Covid-19 policy and to follow the strict universal precautions of infection, prevention and control measures.”
“The virus is sparing no-one. including health care workers as it continues to spread. One of the most challenging aspects of this pandemic is that so much is uncertain and unpredictable. Unfortunately, those in the health care industry cannot be sufficiently prepared,” he said.
“We are trying our level best, and every effort is being made to support and comply with the decisions of Government. We have restricted patient visitors, applied stricter access to our facility and reduced elective admissions to help contain the virus. This requires the support of the community, staff and health care professionals.”
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