Gauteng Covid-19 war room confirms 6 positive cases

The Gauteng Department of Health has confirmed that six members of its Covid-19 war room have tested positive for the coronavirus.

“Among those who tested positive is the head of the department, Prof Mkhululi Lukhele,” said spokesperson Kwara Kekana.

“All the colleagues are doing well and are self-isolating at home.”

Kekana said the department also wished to clarify the confusion around the number of graves being dug for Covid-19 deaths. She said the province does not have over a million already open graves and that the graves referred to the collective capacity municipalities can take.

“MEC Dr Bandile Masuku visited one of the gravesites in Tshwane yesterday. The gravesite visited has a capacity of about 24 000 graves,” Kekana said.

“The Gauteng Department of Health is continuing to improve and increase both the infrastructure and human resource capacity of the health system to deal with increasing pressure from Covid-19.”

“We understand the subject of death is an uncomfortable matter to engage in; however, ensuring that there is adequate burial space in the province, unfortunately, forms part of the reality government must contend with in its battle against Covid-19.”

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