More babies test positive for virus at Stanger hospital

Eight more babies have tested positive for Covid-19 at General Justice Gizenga Memorial hospital (formerly Stanger hospital) following an outbreak of the virus in the paediatric ward last week.

This brings the number of babies who have tested positive to 10.

In addition to the 16 people who initially tested positive a further nine mothers, seven doctors and three nurses have tested positive.

The hospital was placed in quarantine last week.

The hospital is closed to new admissions and is being decontaminated.

KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu said the origin of the infection had been traced to a mother who was housed at the border mother’s lodge at the hospital – a facility where mothers are housed after giving birth.

All 219 patients have been tested, low-risk patients were diverted to district hospitals and serious cases were sent to King Edward VIII Hospital.

The National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) provincial secretary, Ayanda Zulu, maintains that hospital staff had not been adequately provided with personal protective equipment (PPE).

Zulu said it was standard healthcare policy for staff on the frontline to be protected.

“Staff are concerned that if one doctor, nurse or cleaner becomes infected, they could transmit the virus to everyone seeking healthcare.

“During our investigation we have found that healthcare workers have not been trained on the proper use of PPE – including taking it on and off without contaminating themselves or others,” said Zulu.

They were also concerned about the lack of social distancing within the hospital.

“A section of the hospital is being used to treat Covid-19 cases. This has caused congestion, making it very difficult for healthcare workers to practice social distancing.”

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