KwaDukuza’s General Justice Gizenga Memorial hospital (formerly Stanger hospital) reopened its doors on Monday following an outbreak of the Covid-19 virus that is believed to have started in the paediatric ward.

The government facility was closed two weeks ago after it confirmed 16 Covid-19 cases – nine mothers, four doctors, two newborns and one nurse.

A further eight babies, nine boarder mothers, seven doctors and three nurses also tested positive last week.

It has since emerged that 42 staff were diagnosed with the virus. The hospital was declared a quarantine site and was closed for further admissions.

On Sunday KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala said: “We wish to thank the people of KwaDukuza for their patience and co-operation while this facility remained closed.

“We also extend our gratitude to personnel who have been deployed outside these facilities for saving the day and ensuring that our people have continued access to primary health care services.”

Zikalala said while the majority of the new cases were still coming from eThekwini, ILembe district is starting to have more cases per 100 000 infected people if you consider its population size. A trend they were worried about and working to stop.

“We need to work more to curb the spread in eThekwini, Ilembe and Umgungundlovu as these are to be closely monitored. eThekwini has 866 of the province’s positive cases, followed by Ilembe at 326, and Umgungundlovu at 64,” Zikalala said.

The premier said mobile clinics from KwaMashu and Tongaat have been “roped in” to service the community in Inanda after its health centre was closed after four nurses and one doctor based there tested positive for Covid-19.

“We have since tested all employees for Covid-19 and their results are being conveyed to them on a continuous basis. So far, there have been no new positive cases from the facility.

“Employees who test negative will be allowed to return to work after a period of quarantine. If any of them test positive, they will not return to work until they test negative.

Also read: Union claims staff were not protected from coronavirus, demands answers from KwaDukuza state hospital

While the National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) accused hospital management of not providing healthcare workers with adequate personal protective equipment, Zikalal said that the shortage of PEE had been addressed and the department would monitor stock availability and ensure adequate replenishment where necessary.

The premier said they had enough stock in place to cope with demand for more than a month.

The union has accused Premier Sihle Zikalala’s administration of failing to be transparent with the public in the case of General Justice Gizenga Memorial hospital.

Nehawu provincial secretary Ayanda Zulu called on the provincial government to provide clarity.

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