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The Eastern Cape Health Department says hundreds of health workers are in isolation as COVID-19 cases continue to increase in the province.
Health MEC, Nomakosazana Meth said in a statement on Thursday that 417 health workers in hospitals, clinics, and EMS personnel, contracted the virus between November and December.
She said this had resulted in services being negatively affected, particularly in Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City, and Mthatha.
“Those who have tested positive for COVID-19 have to, according to current policy, self-isolate for 10 days, even when asymptomatic and having only mild symptoms. This has put more pressure on the already stretched thin healthcare workers, with those left having to see more clients,” MEC Meth said.
She said most clinics and hospitals had remained functional, with only “a few clinics” having to close for a few days.
“Because of the rise in new infections, clients visiting our facilities may need to wait a little longer than they normally would have. The clinical teams will attend to and prioritise emergencies at this time,” she said.
She said the hospitals with the highest number of healthcare workers in COVID-19 isolation are Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in East London with 106, Livingstone Hospital in Gqeberha has 97, while Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital and Mthatha Regional Hospital have 84, and 54 respectively.
MEC Meth said as of 22 December, there were 16 711 active Covid19 cases in the Eastern Cape while over 2.3 million people had received the jab.
