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DENOSA’s well wishes to nurses who form part of the multi-disciplinary team to care for the first COVID-19 patient in SA
06 March 2020
DENOSA sends well wishes to all the nurses who are part of the multi-disciplinary team that deal with COVID-19 at Grey’s Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal as they admitted the first patient who tested positive to the virus. The patient, 38-year-old man from KwaZulu-Natal, was admitted to the hospital on 5 March 2020. Grey’s Hospital is the designated hospital to be deal with the COVID-19 cases in the province, with Ngwelezane Hospital in Empangeni designated as the overflow hospital incase Grey’s Hospital becomes full.
The Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, confirmed to the media this is the only patient to have tested positive so far. The minister called on the citizens to exercise caution and refrain from posting fake news on the virus as this will create a state of panic among people who are already anxious.
DENOSA called on the government to ensure that healthcare workers are provided with sufficient protective clothing while they do their work of screening arrivals from outside South Africa on various fronts. DENOSA has also called on government to ensure that nurses who work at clinics also get prioritized for protective clothing and necessary toiletries as they are among the first healthcare workers to face patients who might present the signs of Coronavirus.
DENOSA in KwaZulu-Natal is in constant communication with the provincial Department of Health to ensure that all areas that nurses may have concerns over are addressed as speedily as possible.
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