Hospersa, a union of more than 60 000 health care workers in the public and private healthcare sector, has welcomed the closure of Duduza Clinic, in the City of Ekurhuleni (Gauteng) after a health worker at that facility tested positive for the Coronavirus COVID-19. 

The clinic and its surrounding area will be sanitised during the period of the closure to kill any traces of the virus that may have survived on surfaces. Hospersa has called for on government to roll out a communication campaign to fight stigmatization of health workers and recovering patients that tested positive as the country moves forward with fighting the deadly coronavirus.

According to reports, the City of Ekurhuleni has closed the Duduza Clinic indefinitely after a nurse tested positive for the Coronavirus COVID-19. In a statement issued by the city, the clinic and the surrounding area will undergo sanitising during the period of closure to kill any traces of the coronavirus that may have survived on surfaces.  The nurse has subsequently been placed under quarantine and is currently under medical observation.

According to the statement, clinical staff who work at the clinic and have displayed symptoms of COVID-19 have tested and are currently under self-isolation as they await test results.  Staff members who have not displayed symptoms have been placed on special leave to self-isolate until further notice.  The city has also confirmed that potential contacts are currently being traced and will be tested for COVID-19 to mitigate against community transmission.  Two mobile clinics will be deployed to the area where staff from surrounding clinics will also be deployed to serve the community for the period of the closure.  Hospersa has welcomed the measures taken by the City of Ekurhuleni to ensure the spread of the virus is contained.

“We welcome the measures taken by the City [of Ekurhuleni]” said Hospersa Public Relations Officer Kevin Halama.  “We applaud the city for taking such bold steps in ensuring the safety concerns of employees and the community are prioritised.  We also wish the nurse a speedy recovery and strength during this difficult time,” added Halama.

“Hospersa calls on the City [of Ekurhuleni] and the Gauteng DoH to also roll out a communication campaign regarding the coronavirus in the area to alleviate fears of the community as well as address the issue of stigmatization of health workers and patients that are recovering from the virus.  Furthermore, there must be sufficient Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for health workers and improved safe working conditions in health facilities as per the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act,” said Halama.

“To date, there has been close to twenty health workers that have contracted coronavirus in South Africa with the number growing steadily each day,” said Halama.  As the country continues the fight against the spread of coronavirus, government must ensure that its foot soldiers [health workers] receive all the necessary support to ensure we stop the virus on its deadly tracks,” concluded Halama.

Issued by Hospersa