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Two Limpopo doctors who were allegedly forced to quarantine by the Limpopo government after they tested positive for Covid-19 were released after reaching an agreement with the provincial health department.
The MEC de Salud, Phophi Ramatuba, accused Taryn Williams and Claire Olivier of bringing the virus to the province and said that “they should have stayed where they were” even though they live there.
The two, who work in Mpumalanga, were asymptomatic and isolated in their home, where staff from the Limpopo health department watched over them.
CLOCK | 2 doctors allegedly forced into quarantine after claim of bringing coronavirus to Limpopo
Several days after testing positive, emergency services officials came to her door and told them they had to go to a hospital in Modimolle.
The two approached the South African Medical Association (SAMA) for legal assistance.
A settlement agreement was reached Tuesday after the Limpopo High Court ordered the legal representatives of the doctors and the MEC to discuss the matter.
Since the agreement was reached, the two doctors tested negative for Covid-19.
SAMA appreciated the doctors’ release, but said it was concerned about the circumstances that led to the quarantine.
“We are delighted that these two doctors, who isolated themselves according to the regulations when they tested positive for Covid-19, are now able to return to their homes. However, we remain concerned about the way they were initially treated, especially considering that it strictly followed NICD (National Institute of Communicable Diseases) and national government regulations once they tested positive, “said SAMA President Dr. Angelique Coetzee.
Grateful for assistance
Coetzee accused the department of trying to create the impression in a press release that the doctors’ negative status was the reason for his release.
“This is a false move that clearly aims to frame the release of Drs Olivier and Williams as a medical problem due to their negative tests. However, the couple had to be released from the facility due to a court order, not because they have tested negative, “said Coetzee.
A court order for costs in the matter will be determined at a future date.
The two doctors thanked SAMA for the assistance.
“We needed someone we could trust to help us get through what was happening and you were there from the beginning. We appreciate your input and legal assistance; we could not have achieved this result without you,” the doctors said in a statement. Joint communication to SAMA.
Coetzee said it was important for the health department to provide clear guidelines for self-isolation for doctors testing positive for Covid-19 to avoid a repeat of what happened in Limpopo.
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