The Northern Cape Department of Health says the doctor is the latest person to test positive for Covid-19 in the last 24 hours.

Departmental spokesperson, Lebohang Majaha, says the doctor in question is a staff member at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital, and she is in self-isolation at home. Majaha adds the department has dispatched the Covid-19 tracing team and tested any potential contacts, placing them under quarantine until the results are known.

So far the province has 10 active cases after 27 patients recovered and one death was reported.

"We commend the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality for their swift response towards disinfecting all affected areas in the hospital overnight. The MEC for Health, Mase Manopole, has reiterated her commitment towards ensuring that all frontline staff are provided with the necessary personal protective equipment," Majaha further adds.

Manopole plans to test all patients admitted to the hospital as well as all contacts of identified Covid-19 positive people, including those of the doctor. This is part of the provincial department's proactive strategy for early detection of possible hotspots.

"We would like to commend all the staff involved for all their support and professionalism during these challenging circumstances. We also apologise to any patients who have been inconvenienced during this process. Only by standing together and supporting each other will we be able to defeat this epidemic," Majaha continued.

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