The North West Health MEC, Madoda Sambatha, is expected to address the media following concerns from residents after this news. The doctor is the fifth health worker to test positive for the virus after three doctors and a nurse tested positive for the virus earlier. 

The three doctors, who are all from the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District - which includes Matlosana in Klerksdorp - have since recovered from Covid19. The status of the nurse is unknown at this stage. 

The departmental spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane, says Sambatha will also address the media on all the latest cases that have provoked public interest, as well as how cases are managed. To date the province has a total number of 26 confirmed active cases after 24 people recovered and one died out of the 51 initial cases reported.

The address will take place on Wednesday at the Department of Health's Head Office in Mahikeng. The Bojanala District now has 36 cases, of which 22 are in Rustenburg. Lekgethwane adds: "North West Province contributes 0.5% of South Africa’s burden of disease. A total of 24 COVID-19 confirmed positive persons have recovered.”

He says 16 recoveries are in Bojanala, five in Dr Kenneth Kaunda, two in Ngaka Modiri Molema and one in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati. The department applauds all the healthcare workers for their continued dedication and commitment to serve the people of the province.

Meanwhile, Sambatha earlier announced that the five professional health workers formed part of over 500 healthcare workers across the country who tested positive for Covid19. Sambatha added that all of those listed to have been in contact with these workers were traced, and tested negative after undergoing testing and a strict quarantine process.

OFM News