A total of 35 staff members from Humansdorp Hospital in the Eastern Cape were tested positive for COVID-19.
The number is expected to increase, as test results are still awaiting for staff members.
The Eastern Cape Department of Health closed the hospital’s doors on Saturday to begin a cleaning process. Only the casualty department is open for emergencies.
Kouga Municipality Mayor Horatio Hendricks said 35 of the hospital’s staff members were tested positive on Friday. This includes doctors, nurses and administrative staff.
“The hospital basically closed its doors, except for the casualty department.
“On Saturday, we transferred the maternity patients to BJ Vorster Hospital in Kou-Kamma (municipality of Kareedouw) so that the surgical and maternity ward can be disinfected,” Hendricks said in an online video on Sunday, in which he quoted the municipality’s latest Covid-19 cases.
By Sunday, the provincial health department confirmed that the entire hospital would be cleaned.
Eastern Cape health department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said on inquiry that workers of a cleaning services company working at the hospital had also been tested positive for the virus.
“We are investigating the situation. A risk analysis was done. “
