THE SOL Plaatje Municipality has recorded its first Covid-19 fatality after an employee at the Homevale Waste Water Treatment Works (HWWTW) died on Tuesday morning.
Municipal spokesperson Thoko Riet confirmed on Tuesday that the staff member died in a local hospital.
The municipality has had more than 25 confirmed cases of Covid-19 to date.
“It is with sadness that we announce our first Covid-19 death, after one of our Sol Plaatje employees passed away this morning due to Covid-19 complications,” Riet said.
“The employee, who was 50 years old, was hospitalised on July 16 after experiencing shortness of breath. She was tested in hospital and received her test results on July 17, which came back positive. She has been in hospital since her admission until she passed away on Tuesday.”
Riet stated that the treatment plant in Homevale remains open, as the staff member was already on sick leave and there was no direct contact at the time when she was hospitalised.
“She was one of us, a very friendly and energetic person, who was involved in recreational activities and had a passion for netball. She will be sorely missed. To the family, our heartfelt condolences. May you find strength during this difficult period.”
The number of fatalities in the Northern Cape has almost doubled in a week, jumping from 15 to 29 by Monday night, according to figures from the Department of Health.
In the Sol Plaatje municipal area, 11 people have died to date, while the number of positive cases in the Province is 3 875, an overnight increase of 274 people.
