This follows fears from Kimberley residents that they are at risk of being infected with Covid-19 by hospital employees.
THE CHIEF executive officer of KimMed, Willie Wiid, has given the assurance that all personnel at the hospital were tested and screened for Covid-19 after a 31-year-old patient tested positive for the virus.
This follows fears from Kimberley residents that they are at risk of being infected with Covid-19 by hospital employees.
“We read about this patient being infected on social media. It is very concerning as the people who are working at this hospital are walking among us. These workers have been in contact with the infected patient and they were sent home, where they came into contact with their families as well as friends. Some are using public transport. We do not have any assurance that any of those people who came into contact with the workers were tested. We read that the workers were tested but not that they were placed in quarantine. This is very disturbing,” they said.
Wiid said on Saturday that while only a limited number of employees worked with the patient, the entire staff was tested.
“We have tested all our staff, not just the health workers. Not all staff had access to and worked with the patient. The employees were also wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when they were in contact with the patient. We have received the bulk of the tests of employees back and they were all negative. Those employees who were in contact with the positive patient were not allowed to work with other patients. We made sure that we followed all the necessary procedures and the disaster management team was also pleased with how we handled the matter,” said Wiid.
He said the patient would be transferred to another private hospital.
“We do not have an intensive care unit (ICU) or ventilators in case the patient may need these facilities. He is currently in a private room with his own bathroom. That is to ensure he does not come into contact with other patients. All our patients are also tested as a precaution and as per protocol.”
He added that they had been following all stipulated regulations concerning the fight against Covid-19.
“We are working with the Department of Health and we also have to follow the protocol that the government has implemented. We have been doing this as we not only prioritise the health and safety of our patients, but also that of our employees,” said Wiid.
