Covid-19 infections among health workers ‘well below global average’

In a statement on Thursday, Mkhize said the total number of infected healthcare workers stands at 27 360.

This is around 5% of the total workforce, compared to the global infection rate of 10%.

Mkhize admits that workers in the public sector are worse off than their colleagues in the private sector, with 21 332 confirmed case in state-run facilities compared to 6027 from the private sector.  

“The overall infection rate amongst healthcare workers as compared to the total number of cases identified nationally is 5% which is well below the global average,” said Mkhize.

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“One thousand six-hundred and forty-four (6%) of these health care workers were doctors, 14 143 (52%) were nurses, 28 (less than 1%) were port health workers and 11 545 (42%) were from other categories of health workers.”

A total of 240 healthcare workers have died from coronavirus-related illnesses - a mortality rate of 0.9%. 

Thirty-seven deaths have been recorded in the private sector and 203 in the public sector. 

“We salute these fallen soldiers and pay tribute to them for their commitment to serving the people of South Africa right until the very end,” Mkhize said.

“We extend our condolences to all the family, friends and colleagues of these valuable members of society.”