South Africa: 66 Hospital Staff Test Positive for Coronavirus
South Africa’s health minister, Zweli Mkhize, announced on Tuesday, 7 April, that 66 people at Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).
As per reports, concerns have risen over the shortage of equipment and protective masks at the hospital, leading to at least 48 staff contracting COVID-19.
Mkhize mentioned that local authorities are considering closing parts of the facility – which happens to be one of Durban’s largest private hospitals – to contain the spread of the contagion.
He said: “This definitely shows the problem of protecting our health care workers … there needs to be regular, frequent testing of workers. This is a big challenge for South Africa.”
With the increase, South Africa currently has the most COVID-19 cases reported on the continent at over 1 700, with 13 confirmed dead. The health ministry said that fewer than 100 people are in hospital with the disease.
The continent’s most developed country entered lockdown to combat the pandemic on 28 March, and is expected to cease the protective measure on 16 April.
