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By News24 Wire

Wire Service


More than 20 staff test positive for Covid-19 at Boksburg Dis-Chem branch

The first positive diagnosis was made on 9 April.


A total of 24 staff members at the Dis-Chem branch at Retail Park in Boksburg have tested positive for Covid-19 as of close of business on Friday, the pharmacy group has confirmed.

“All of these are symptom free,” said Dis-Chem national clinic manager Lizeth Kruger following the testing of 132 employees.

“The store was professionally cleaned. In addition, it took the precaution of testing the entire staff complement and any with symptoms were self-isolated immediately.”

“Three additional staff members, who were both asymptomatic, then tested positive and were immediately quarantined in line with Department of Health protocol.”

“All were tested again on Thursday, and an additional 20 asymptomatic staff tested positive,” which Kruger said “highlights the aggressive virulence of this virus.”

“As an essential service provider to a large percentage of the Boksburg community, the store was reopened… on Friday with a totally new staff complement after further professional cleaning,” Kruger said.

According to her, the branch remained open as it provided an essential service to those who relied on it to obtain medicine.

“The entire staff complement has been placed into self-isolation and the store has been re-staffed with employees from other Dis-Chem shops. The store has been extensively deep cleaned.”

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