This, as the numbers of positive cases in the country has increased to 2 506 with seven new deaths. Nursing organisation says it is growing increasingly concerned about the welfare of its members as more and more health workers are being infected. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize on Wednesday announced that 12 Mediclinic Morningside employees, including seven healthcare workers, tested positive for Covid-19. 

This comes just a week after Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital in Durban was shut down after 66 people, including staff and patients, tested positive for Covid-19. 

The union has reiterated their call to government to fast-track the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) to all healthcare workers in the country. OFM News yesterday reported that the union's Acting Provincial Secretary in the North West, Kedibone Mdolo, said the government should also fast-track the recruitment of healthcare professionals to increase capacity.

Taking into account the escalating number of positive cases, Mdolo added that provision of risk allowances, temporary accommodation and transport for all essential service workers who take care of COVID-19 patients should urgently be put in place.

The total number of COVID-19 tests conducted currently stands at 90 515, with Gauteng remaining as the province with the leading number of cases at 930, followed by the Western Cape at 657, KwaZulu-Natal at 519, the Eastern Cape at 199, and the Free State at 97.

OFM News