This, as indications of a fourth wave are gaining momentum.

Several directorates of the Provincial Health Headquarters - Bophelo House - in Bloemfontein have been closed over the past two days.

OFM News received information that 17 officials at this building had tested positive.

This wave seemed to impact several clinics and the district office too.

At the Gabriel Dichabe Clinic in Bloemfontein, more than half of the personnel - 18 healthcare workers - tested positive.

At the MUCPP Clinic, a total of 22 healthcare workers tested positive. 

At the Local Area Office situated at the National Hospital near the Gateway Clinic, more than half of the personnel - 15 healthcare workers - were tested positive.

Heidedal Policlinic has 5 cases. Batho Clinic has 3 cases.

The District Office at the Free State Psychiatric Complex has 12 workers who tested positive for Covid-19.

The Medical Depot has 2 positive cases, and the facility was put on high alert.

These facilities are now due for decontamination, and those who are listed as positive and close contacts are in isolation.

Provincial Health spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, says no confirmed cases of the Omicron variant are known in the Free State thus far.

He says the samples are continuously being analysed by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).

Mvambi says in the light of these cases, the department appeals for responsible behavior and absolute adherence to public health and social measures.

"The Department encourages vaccination as it increases the capacity of the immune system to identify and fight the virus," he said.

"The Department also encourages all healthcare workers and the general public to enrol for booster shots as an additional but essential measure to keep the immune system on the alert level in order to quell any invasion by the intrusive virus," Mvambi added.

OFM News