Concern mounting over health workers infected with COVID-19

.In the latest update on the rate of infection in the country, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said the country had 1187 confirmed cases. 

"We must outrightly state that these numbers do not indicate a reduction in the number of infections. It is merely a reflection of positive results that were received, verified and ready for today’s reporting," he added. 

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However, the Minister is worried that health workers in both public and private hospitals are being infected by the virus. 

'We mention this because health workers are in the frontline of this battle," he said. 

"They are exposed not only to their families but to the patients who they are meant to treat."

He added though: "It must be emphasised that none of these health workers were infected by patients that they were treating. They came into contact with their family members, friends and other colleagues who had tested positive for COVID-19.

The Minister provided the following breakdown: '

1. In Limpopo, 1 medical doctor tested positive after he had travelled abroad for holiday started experiencing symptoms on his return. He immediately decided to quarantine himself. This young doctor remained in quarantine to ensure that he does not transmit the virus to other people. His 14-day quarantine period has ended and we are pleased to report that his results have now been confirmed negative. 
2. In Mpumalanga, 1 medical doctor who had also travelled for a holiday abroad returned to the Province with symptoms which emerged a few days after he returned. Before then, he had been having interactions with staff and patients. He then tested positive and was quarantined. This led to other health workers who had come into contact with him to be screened, quarantined and tested. A decision was also made for that section of the hospital to be closed in order to disinfect it. This has been completed and it will be reopening during the course of next week. 
3. In Free State, we have received a report that 3 doctors, 1 nurse and 1 neurophysicist have tested positive for COVID-19.
4. In Gauteng, 6 medical doctors have been infected in Gauteng. All these health workers are in a good medical condition with most of them having mild or no symptoms. 

"It is only one doctor in the Free State, aged 70, who is in ICU," said Mkhize. 

"All individuals who were identified as contacts of these health workers have been put in quarantine and are being monitored."