Doctors, nurses in three provinces hit by coronavirus scares on Monday

It's been a challenging day for South Africa's medical professionals, as multiple coronavirus cases affecting our doctors and nurses have been confirmed.

Our frontline medical staff are facing increasing pressure to do their jobs while remaining healthy in the face of the coronavirus crisis. A multitude of reports have come in, showing the strain faced by our doctors and nurses. Monday has been a particularly challenging day for our health professionals.

Doctors and nurses affected by coronavirus in South Africa on Monday 6 April:

KwaZulu-Natal

An anaesthetist at the JMH Isipingo Hospital and a healthcare practitioner at the Hibiscus Hospital in Port Shepstone have tested positive for Coronavirus. The latter had tested negative for the disease just two weeks ago. All medical staff who worked with the doctors, and their family members who may have come into contact with them, have been told to immediately self-isolate.

Free State

A patient showed symptoms of the respiratory illness, which is caused by the coronavirus, while being treated by a doctor in Bloemfontein. After they tested positive, the medical professional has since gone into quarantine. Although Nadina Wessels is not showing any symptoms, she is awaiting her test results.

Western Cape

An Athlone resident, believed to be a night supervisor at a paediatric unit, has been hospitalised at a local facility after testing positive for coronavirus. It’s understood that a close relative – who had travelled to Turkey and unknowingly continued to work until she start showing symptoms – passed the disease on to the nurse.

Premier Alan Winde gave a provincial update on Monday afternoon. He confirmed a rise in the number of positive cases in the Western Cape, and confirmed that a dozen people are now receiving intensive care:

“As at 00:01 on 06 April 2020, the Western Cape had 475 recorded coronavirus infections. There are currently 26 patients in hospital, of which 12 are in ICU. We are also very sad to note that the Western Cape recorded its second COVID-19 related death over the weekend. The patient was an 82-year-old woman.”

“We convey our sincere condolences to the deceased’s family, friends and community during a difficult time. We’d like to use the opportunity to pay tribute to all health workers who make up our healthcare system and thank them for their hard work. We’re grateful for the work our medical staff do and the sacrifices they make.”

Read more about the Western Cape’s coronavirus stats here:

Update on the coronavirus – over 1000 people screened on first day | 6 April 2020Case update: As at 00h01 on 06 April 2020, the Western Cape had 475 recorded Covid-19 infections. #Stopthespread Full statement:https://t.co/DZiIwNQM3H pic.twitter.com/2dZkdNZAwt

— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) April 6, 2020

Source: The South African Read More