78% of Limpopo’s healthcare workers have recovered from Covid-19
47 doctors, 302 nurses and 248 other healthcare workers were infected. No deaths have been recorded.
POLOKWANE – A total of 597 healthcare workers in Limpopo have tested positive for Covid-19, with 464 recoveries recorded.
The Minister of Health, Dr Zwelini Mkhize, on Thursday, announced that 27 360 healthcare workers in South Africa contracted the virus. Of those, 6 027 were from the private sector and 21 333 were from the public sector.
Read more: 27,360 healthcare workers with Covid-19 ‘well below the global average’ says Mkhize
In Limpopo, 47 doctors, 302 nurses and 248 other healthcare workers were infected. No deaths have been recorded.
Mkhize says the data had been verified as of 4 August and noted that the overall infection rate among healthcare workers compared to the total number of cases identified nationally is 5%. “This is well below the global average of 10%,” he said.
In July, the MEC for Health in Limpopo, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, officiated the launch of a psychological hub for healthcare professionals, that will be available 24 hours at every institution. At the time, Ramathuba said there was no amount of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that will stop the fear among healthcare workers in their line of duty. “Healthcare professionals are our last line of defence in the fi ght against Covid-19. We need to ensure we offer them the psychological support they need.”
Ramathuba said there is bound to be uncertainty and fear among workers, and the psychological hub will work as an outlet for nurses who need someone to speak to.
One clinical psychologist, one psychiatrist and one trauma counsellor will render services at every institution, whether private of public.
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