Politics
Zweli Mkhize concerned over number of confirmed coronavirus cases at St Augustine’s Hospital in Durban
Minister of Health, Dr. Zweli Mkhize has expressed concern over the increase in coronavirus cases in KwaZulu-Natal’s St Augustine’s Hospital, however, stating that he is hopeful it will be contained through fumigation.
In a Twitter thread on Tuesday, 7 April 2020, Mkhize announced that St Augustine’s Hospital in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal had reported an increase of 66 confirmed coronavirus cases in the past few days. He went on to state that 48 of the cases were staff members, and that mass testing was being conducted to determine a way forward. The minister stated that the provincial department has engaged with the hospital and is working on a plan to close down certain parts of the hospital.
Mkhize stated, “We hope the fumigation process will start soon there. We have also assigned specialists there. We must always be on the lookout. The infection can seep in from any institution. We must now trace all the contacts. It is a matter of serious concern and we are dealing with it.”
See the posts below.
We are concerned about developments at St Augustine’s Hospital. 66 tested positive over the past few days. About 48 of them are staff. The Provincial dept. is engaging the hospital, with a view to closing parts of the hospital down
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) April 7, 2020
We hope the fumigation process will start soon there. We have also assigned specialists there. We must always be on the lookout. The infection can seep in from any institution. We must now trace all the contacts. It is a matter of serious concern and we are dealing with it.
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) April 7, 2020
The number of patients who are being treated, are slowly recovering. Mass testing has also started in all provinces.
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) April 7, 2020
We have not had enough patients to exhaust the pre-existing stock. Everyone is anxious. Healthcare workers are nervous. But it is possible for them to point out where the shortages are, so we can move stock around.
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) April 7, 2020
As stock comes in, we will start preparing for the period after. So we are preparing ahead. We don’t even have a hundred people in hospital at the moment countrywide.
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) April 7, 2020
Sayushka Naidoo
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