Ladysmith doctor tests negative for Covid-19 after being in quarantine

Dr Eugene Ramparsad tested positive for Covid-19 on March 28. A second test has since been conducted and came back negative. Dr Ramparsad has now released the following statement…

Kindly allow me the use of your forum to release a statement.  I, Dr Eugene Ramparsad, Specialist Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, wish to make a public statement in my personal capacity. Social media exploded with the news that I tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday, 28th March, 2020, after a message to La Verna staff members went viral.

I wish to state that the initial test was done on my insistence, despite me showing no symptoms. I did not meet the testing criteria set out by the NICD. Contrary to the rumour mill, I had no contact with a Covid-19 positive patient or family member. Medical professionals such as myself are more susceptible, as can be expected. This was despite all reasonable precautionary measures being put in place at my private practice and in my personal life.

Also read: Fake news warning regarding food parcels from supermarket and municipality during lockdown

Upon confirmation of my positive result, I immediately informed the private hospital manager and I was already in quarantine at home. I repeated a test on 1/04/2020, which showed a negative result. This means that I am no longer infectious and have gained immunity against Covid-19.

I intend on repeating the test in 7 days. Once cleared by the Department of Health, I will return to work.

I wish to firstly apologise to my patients for any uncertainty caused, and secondly assure you that I will be back at work the earliest I can.

Thank you to all family, friends and patients who supported me through this dark period. Your prayers and well wishes really helped me through this.

I urge the community at large to please respect the rules of the national lockdown, as this is the best form of defence against the virus.

• The public is advised to call the coronavirus hotline on 0800029999 with any suspected cases of corona, or to report or obtain information relevant to the pandemic.
• Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news. Dear reader, as your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).

Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join us there!