A healthcare worker has died after testing positive for Covid-19.

The woman, who was a general orderly at General Gizenga Memorial Hospital (formerly known as Stanger Hospital) died last Sunday after testing positive for the virus.

The KwaZulu-Natal health department temporarily closed the hospital last month after 16 confirmed Covid-19 cases – nine mothers, four doctors, two newborns and one nurse. A further nine mothers, seven doctors and three nurses later tested positive.

The National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) provincial secretary, Ayanda Zulu confirmed the healthcare worker had tested positive for Covid-19.

“The Union is deeply saddened because she was our dedicated member.

“In honour of her memory we will continue to fight for the health and safety of all the workers in the public health care facilities.”

On Sunday, KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala said iLembe district has been identified as the region with the highest incidence risk, at 47,4 per 100 000; while eThekwini shows an incidence risk of 26,1 per 100 000.

“From eThekweni to iLembe, the two districts continue to contribute more than 80 percent of the total cases provincially and if you put them together, they contribute 2 465. eThekwini metropolitan council contributes 82 percent of the reported deaths followed by iLembe.”

Zikalala also cautioned against what he termed “rapid labour unrest” in cases where workers protest for the closure of healthcare facilities when a colleague tests positive for Covid-19.

The Premier said proper procedures needed to be followed, but that does not necessarily include the immediate closure of the healthcare facility.

As of June 6, the province had a total of 327 patients admitted in both private (126 patients) and public (201 patients) hospitals.

Public hospitals continue to admit more patients than private hospitals.

However, more patients admitted in private hospital require intensive care. According to the latest data received, 22 percent of patients in ICUs are ventilated.

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