The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases has increased to
1187, the minister health confirmed on Saturday evening.
The number of confirmed infections this afternoon stood at
1170 after 31 people recovered from the virus. One person was confirmed dead on
Friday.
Health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said the latest figures
don't necessarily mean there's a decline in the infection rate.
"We must outrightly state that these numbers do not
indicate a reduction in the number of infections. "It is merely a reflection
of positive results that were received, verified and ready for today’s
reporting," Mkhize said in a media statement.
First Covid-19 patients were women, aged 28 and 48
He expressed concern about infections relating to
healthcare workers in both private and public hospitals."This includes
doctor and nurses. We mention this because health workers are in the frontline
of this battle. They are exposed not only to their families but to the patients
who they are meant to treat," he said.
Some of the confirmed COVID-19 cases that involve health
workers included in Limpopo, one medical doctor tested positive after he had
travelled abroad for holiday started experiencing symptoms on his return.
"He immediately decided to quarantine himself. This
young doctor remained in quarantine to ensure that he does not transmit the
virus to other people. His 14 day quarantine period has ended and we are
pleased to report that his results have now been confirmed negative," said
Mkhize.
In Mpumalanga, one medical doctor who had also travelled
for a holiday abroad returned to the province with symptoms which emerged a few
days after he returned.
"Before then, he had been having interactions with
staff and patients. He then tested positive and was quarantined.
"This led to other health workers who had come into
contact with him to be screened, quarantined and tested. A decision was also
made for that section of the hospital to be closed in order to disinfect it.
"This has been completed and it will be reopening
during the course of next week. "In Free State, we have received a report
that three doctors, one nurse and one neurophysicist have tested positive for
COVID-19.
"In Gauteng, six medical doctors have been infected in
Gauteng," he said. Sowetan
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