[ad_1]
By Chelsea Geach 
6h ago
Cape Town: A nurse at Tygerberg Hospital has become the last health worker to die of Covid-19, as the Western Cape experienced an increase of 11 coronavirus deaths and more than 500 new infections on Friday.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the death of a Tygerberg Hospital nurse, Ntombizakithi Ngidi,” said Prime Minister Alan Winde. “We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at this time and honor his service to the people of this province.”
Ngidi is the second nurse to die of Covid-19 in the Western Cape, following the burial of Petronella “Aunty Nellie” Benjamin, 62, this week.
“Next week, when we mark International Nurses Day, we will honor these two women for their commitment and care,” Winde said. “Each and every death should be a clear reminder of the role we all have to play in flattening this curve so that we can protect our health workers and all of our vulnerable, elderly or sick residents.”
The Western Cape is the epicenter of the country’s pandemic with 4,584 confirmed cases. This number is made up of 2 979 infected patients, 1 518 recoveries and 87 deaths. The province has conducted more than 53,000 tests.
Some staff members reported that they feared that personal protective equipment (PPE) would not be used properly in Tygerberg, where Ngidi worked as a nurse. A man attempted to report the hospital to Health Minister Zweli Mkhize via Twitter.
“The nurses became infected while working at Tygerberg Hospital and that includes my wife,” wrote @ Likamva8. “They were denied the use of available protective equipment and guess what, my wife became infected and the second nurse passed away (Thursday) at night. Unfortunately, my entire family has been infected with the virus. “
MEC Health Nomafrench Mbombo responded to claims on Twitter, saying the man would have to be more specific.
“TBH has more than 600 employees and more than 1,000 beds. You have to be specific. You can’t shut the whole hospital down anyway, as it gets referrals from all over the country, “Mbombo wrote.” Note that it was originally a hospital dedicated to Covid. Not surprising, but of course troubling, if the staff doesn’t it has priority. “
Provincial Health Department spokesman Mark van der Heever said extensive measures had been implemented to protect Tygerberg staff.
“We prioritize the safety of our staff. There are prescribed layers of personal protection based on the direct risk of exposure, ”he said. “PPE is only used when staff are in direct contact with someone who has tested positive, or someone suspected of having a coronavirus infection.”
Former Western Cape Premier and party leader DA Helen Zille commented on social media last night: “Once you have the health system in place, the virus must take its course.
“No cure. No vaccine. Only immunity when you’ve had it. It’s less deadly than we feared, especially for young, healthy people. The numbers will go up a lot, but that brings us closer to the peak. Then it will drop. No other way.”
Weekend Argus
* For the latest on the Covid-19 outbreak, visit the IOL #Coronavirus trend page
** If you think you have been exposed to the Covid-19 virus, call the 24-hour government hotline at 0800 029 999 or contact SA Coronavirus for more information.
[ad_2]
