Government says they have noted with concern a number of confirmed COVID-19 cases of health workers, who work both in the private and public hospitals. The number includes doctor and nurses.
The health workers are exposed not only to their families, but also to the patients they treat. However almost all the infected health workers are reported to be in good medical condition, with most of them having mild or no symptoms.
One doctor, a 70-year-old from the Free State, is in ICU.
Flu vaccines
South Africa received a very limited stock of flu vaccines as the medication is ordered a year in advance. At the time the country placed its orders, they had not anticipated the COVID-19 pandemic.
This means that, as it stands, the flu vaccines are in short supply.
The South African government has engaged with the pharmaceutical industry and the distribution of the vaccine will be planned with the restrictions in mind.
The department of health says, as from Saturday, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increased to 1187.
“The numbers do not indicate a reduction in the number of infections, but merely a reflection of positive results that were received,” the department says.
The South African Human Rights Commission says it is concerned by the devastating impact of the coronavirus:
