ESTCOURT KZN: Remembering those who lost their battle against Covid-19
"We know that the storm is not yet over, so please let's not let our guard down"
Estcourt Hospital recently held a candle-lighting ceremony to remember those who passed away due to Covid-19 related complications.
It was just over a year ago that the first case of Covid-19 was confirmed in South Africa.
On March 5, 2020, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize announced that a 38-year-old man from KwaZulu-Natal had tested positive, sending shock-waves throughout the country.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a national state of disaster on March 15 and a week later, government imposed a 21-day level 5 lockdown. Estcourt Hospital recorded its first Covid-19 case in April 2020 and the state-of-readiness of the facility to manage Covid-19 patients was put to the test.
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The institution had to screen as many people as possible to gauge the positivity rate, hence a mass screening campaign was started on April 10.
Outreach teams went from house to house, screening people for Covid-19 symptoms, and the “suspects” were referred to a testing site to be tested.
On April 21, a flu clinic was started at Estcourt Hospital to shorten the waiting time for patients coming to the hospital with flu-like symptoms, in order to eliminate the chances of exposing other patients to communicable diseases such as Covid-19.
In May 2020, the outreach teams started a mass screening and testing campaign where patients were screened and those with symptoms were tested. Contacts for positive cases were traced and also tested.
Estcourt Hospital Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nthandazo Bekenya said that “2020 was a year like no other and my sincere gratitude goes to our healthcare workers for putting your lives on the line to save lives. My appreciation goes to the people of Estcourt for their contribution in the fight against this pandemic. Thank you for understanding when you were informed that visitors would not be allowed until further notice. Thank you for your co-operation when you were advised that only patients wearing masks would be allowed inside the hospital.”
Mr Bekenya concluded by saying, “We know that the storm is not yet over, so please let’s not let our guard down. Let’s continue to wash our hands or sanitize, keep a safe social distance and wear our masks.”
The recent candle-lighting ceremony was an apt way to remember those who sadly succumbed to the pandemic.
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