This is according to the provincial Health MEC, Montsheng Tsiu, in a tribute to healthcare workers that was live-streamed on Tuesday 11 August 2020.

Tsiu says to date a total of  1 786 healthcare workers in the province have been infected with the virus. She states that at least 1 296 of those have recovered and a total of 544 cases are active. She adds that at least 17 healthcare workers have been admitted and are in hospital currently. 

Tsiu paid tribute to the deceased and wished her cohorts a speedy recovery. According to the NCID statistics dated 11 August 2020, the province has seen an increase of 300 new cases bringing the total to 29 209. The total number of recoveries are 13 478.

The breakdown of the succumbed healthcare workers per district is as follows: Lejweleputswa - 8, Mangaung Metro - 5, Fezile Dabi - 5, Thabo Mofutsanyane - 5, and Xhariep - 1.

Tsiu was joined by the premier Sisi Ntombela. “I send heartfelt condolences to all the families of our departed healthcare workers and professionals, and the families of departed citizens at large, who have lost their loved ones to this virus. Unfortunately in any battle, there are bound to be casualties. This has certainly been the case in the Free State. We have, unfortunately, lost men and women who occupied the front lines in the war against Covid-19. The Department of Health, is in contact with all affected families to ensure that they receive all the necessary support during this pandemic and beyond,” said Ntombela.

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