Gauteng Health staffers test positive for Covid-19

The Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson Kwara Kekana has tested positive for Covid-19, according to the department.

In a statement on Thursday, the department confirmed Kekana and the manager for stakeholder relations, Julius Maputla, tested positive for the virus.

On Monday, the office of Premier David Makhura publicly announced that two officials tested positive at the provincial command centre.

The two officials were part of the provincial disaster management centre, which consist of Makhura, health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku and the different department MEC’s.

The department said contact tracing and other health measures, applicable after the confirmation of a positive case, were followed.

“As part of the established protocol, the two employees are currently in self-isolation at their respective homes for the prescribed period.

“Both the Gauteng health provincial central office and the disaster management centre have been disinfected and soon after, declared fit for operation.”

The department said the members of the Gauteng command centre – which Masuku is part of – tested regularly, as well as the remainder of the officials in his office and the results were negative.

“The Department and the MEC wishes the two officials, who remain in high spirits, a speedy recovery.”

The department said that both officials have consented to the public declaration of their respective results and status.

“As a standard, the office of the MEC has a public duty to declare positive cases as part of the drive to fight against stigma and ignorance surrounding Covid-19, as well as to promote transparency,” the department said.

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