Saftu, Nupsaw members to protest outside Tygerberg Hospital

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) and its affiliate the National Union of the Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw) will be protesting outside the Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town on Tuesday morning to demand improved health and safety measures at the facility.

Two health workers have died of COVID-19 at the hospital, while another 150 have tested positive.

Saftu says the protest action is in support of Nupsaw’s demand for the provision of appropriate personal protective equipment for staff, and ensuring social distancing between staff and members of the public.

They are also demanding that work parameters be sanitised and cleaned before the commencement of their duties.

Saftu Provincial Secretary André Adams says the wearing of masks and social distancing will be observed by the protesters.

Confirmed COVID-19 in South Africa cases increase

On Monday, the Department of Health announced that confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa has risen to 23 615 with 11 917 recoveries.

The number of deaths has also gone up, after the department reported 52 new COVID-19 related deaths bringing the death toll to 481.

In a statement the department says, “We wish to express our condolences to the loved ones of the deceased and thank the health care workers who treated these patients.”

The Western Cape continues to be the hardest-hit province recording a total of 330 new cases.

Currently, the province accounts for 65.2% of the total number of cases in the country, making it by far the epicentre of the virus in the country.

In the video below, the country reports an increase in COVID-19 related cases: