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GroundUp reports that the Eastern Cape Department of Health has bowed to pressure by unions to shut down Zwide Clinic in Port Elizabeth.
The closure on Monday came after the death of a nurse a few weeks ago and 11 staff members testing positive for Covid-19 on Saturday. Staff at the clinic have been demanding that they all be tested and that the clinic be closed for fumigation. A few nurses who have already been tested are awaiting their results at home. According to health unions, the department’s Covid-19 standard operating plan (SOP) was negligent and the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) posed an even greater risk to both the clinic and the Zwide community. Dr Litha Matiwane, provincial deputy director-general for health care services, on Sunday confirmed that the facility would be closing for “deep decontamination”. “I cannot say when it will reopen because we are testing all 42 staff members. The duration will also be determined by the release of the results,” he indicated. Matiwane said tracing and testing teams would make sure that the people who had been in contact with staff who tested positive were also tested. Regarding PPE concerns raised by the unions, Matiwane said: “PPE is a constant struggle and is rare globally. Aprons are a part of the standard operating plan. There is nothing wrong with wearing a mask for the whole day.”
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mkhuseli Sizani at TimesLIVE
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