This is according to the Provincial Health Department’s technical expert, Dr Helen Motloung. She says a total of 3 584 health care workers who are amongst the frontline workers in the country were infected by the virus and so far 3 042 of them have recovered. She says the latest figures which have been furnished to them includes 202 police officials but she did not elaborate if there were any casualties. Motloung added that 1 854 educators were amongst those who got infected by the virus in the province.

Motloung was part of the Free State Health team which briefed the media on the resurgence of Covid-19 in several towns of Bloemfontein, including Heidedal and Rocklands. 

Another Technical expert, Dr Sammy Mokoena, who was also part of the briefing, told OFM News that Heidedal was hit by a cluster of cases in schools, hence it was later declared as a hotspot alongside several towns. Mokoena also alluded to the situation in Rocklands and explained that they also experienced a cluster of cases in schools and a cluster of cases included the working force. As a result older persons were mostly infected by the virus which is a cause for concern. Mokoena also revealed that the province had been recording over 300 new infections daily since the country moved to alert level 1 of the lockdown.

In August, OFM News’ Olebogeng Motse reported that the Department of Health on 11 of August paid tribute to healthcare workers in a virtual service after six healthcare workers in the province died as a result of the virus. Back in August the department's spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, said a total of 2 742 healthcare workers had contracted the coronavirus and of that number, over 2300 had also recovered.

 OFM News