Following engagements with management, health unions stated on Thursday that it was agreed that all persons who had come into close contact with the doctor who tested positive, would also undergo testing.
UNION representatives of staff at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in Kimberley will monitor whether Covid-19 regulations are being followed after a doctor tested positive for the coronavirus.
Personnel refused to enter a section of the hospital building on Wednesday after they were informed about the test results.
The vector control unit at Sol Plaatje Municipality disinfected the building on Wednesday night.
Following engagements with management, health unions stated on Thursday that it was agreed that all persons who had come into close contact with the doctor who tested positive, would also undergo testing.
Vincent Phuroe from the Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA (Denosa) stated that management undertook to allow those who had come into close contact with the doctor to self-quarantine for the next 14 days.
“We will continue to monitor whether these regulations are implemented. Staff members who were not in contact with the doctor returned to their posts on Thursday,” said Phuroe.
He added that a follow-up meeting would be held on Friday.
National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) regional secretary Moleme Moleme also confirmed that affected staff members would be screened and tested.
Nehawu branch chairperson Godfrey Davids has meanwhile called for an investigation into a procedure that was apparently performed in theatre before the area was decontaminated on Wednesday.
The Department of Health did not respond to media enquiries.
