A total of 219 healthcare workers in the city’s two largest public hospitals have tested positive for Covid-19, while four nurses have now passed away from the Coronavirus.
Tygerberg Hospital confirmed that a worrying 150 staff members have the virus, while 69 workers at Groote Schuur Hospital also tested positive.
Groote Schuur staffers who spoke to the Daily Voice say “resources are being stretched” as different departments have to fill in where nurses were put off after contracting the virus.
It is understood cases at the hospital have been doubling every five days and this could spell disaster for patients.
One staff member said even if they do have space for sick people, “there may not be enough doctors and nurses around to take care of them”.
Covid-19 has claimed the lives of four nurses in the Western Cape, three from Tygerberg Hospital, a designated Covid-19 treatment facility.
The latest death occurred on Thursday, Western Cape Government Health Spokesperson Mark van der Heever confirmed.
On Wednesday, Anncha Kepkey, from Parow, the assistant manager at the trauma unit at Tygerberg, died in the Melomed Hospital in Bellville.
Anncha Kepkey, assistant manager at the trauma unit at Tygerberg. Picture supplied
Her colleague, Ntombizakithi Ngidi, passed away a week after Nurse Petronella Benjamin, 62, of Eerste River, who succumbed a day before she was due to retire after decades of service as a healthcare worker.
Van Der Heever said: “The 150 infected staff members are self-isolating. We have brought in agency staff to fill in while they are recovering.”
According to a report by GroundUp on Thursday, Groote Schuur hospital is currently running seven wards with over 120 patients and four intensive care units with 19 Covid-19 patients.
Just a month ago, 12 National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) staff members working at the hospital tested positive for Covid-19.
The NHLS staff took a decision to temporarily suspend “certain” unnamed tests.
Petronella Benjamin
Groote Schuur Hospital spokesman Alaric Jacobs confirmed that 69 of their staff who worked in different departments, have tested positive for the Coronavirus.
“We can confirm that there have been 69 staff at Groote Schuur Hospital who tested positive for Covid-19. This total includes different departments in the hospital.
“We are pleased to say that the hospital has still been able to continue to operate and provide the necessary services to our patients.”
A staff member, who asked not to be named, said “everyone was working in fear”and that “many nurses” had fallen ill.
The staffer said they were convinced that many people who visit the hospital were not being truthful when answering the screening questions.
“I’m afraid of getting infected with the Coronavirus and passing it on to my family at home,” says the woman.
“I’m on chronic medication and some of my family members at home are also chronic.
“What makes me furious is that some of the patients and people take this pandemic so lightly.
“They get screened upon entering the hospital and some of them do not answer honestly.
“They are putting everyone else at risk.
“Most of our clinics are being cancelled until the end of September.
“The staff members are getting sick and some staff have to go work in other departments.”
69 staff at Groote Schuur Hospital who tested positive for Covid-19. File picture
She pleaded with the public to obey the lockdown rules and self-isolation regulations.
“To the people waiting on their test results, please stay at home until you are cleared.
“Wear a mask, wash your hands and sanitise. This is a very stressful time for the staff.”
By last night, the Western Province had a total of 11 810 cases, 235 deaths and 5677 recoveries.