COVID-19: Healthcare workers feel at risk but ready to fight
Some of the thousands of healthcare workers who are helping to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus in communities say while they are at risk they are prepared for this fight.
Earlier this month President Cyril Ramaphosa said 10 000 workers were being sent out into vulnerable communities to do door-to-door screening for the virus.
KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala yesterday launched the province's screening and testing campaign - saying it was crucial to the quest to flatten the curve.
Concern for the safety of those in the frontlines has been mounting, especially in the health sector where there is a number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Six healthcare workers at Amanzimtoti's Kingsway Hospital have tested positive.
Durban's St Augustine's Hospital says more than 40 of its healthcare workers have been infected.
But this high risk hasn't deterred some of their colleagues.
The nurses are protected and ready to begin the screening and testing in PMB. They are joined by the KZN Premier and MECs who will visit households at the Jika Joe informal settlement to kickstart the programme @ECR_Newswatch #LockdownSA #CoronaVirus pic.twitter.com/UDx7LPfYOZ
— Lauren_Beukes39 (@LBeukes39) April 16, 2020
Nurse Leyah Mngomezulu says they're ready to serve.
"We are human beings, we are afraid but we are here for the public so we have to stand up and protect them from the coronavirus. I put it in the hands of the Lord and I pray and ask the Lord to lead and guide us in to protect the communities," she said.
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Another healthcare worker, Portia Motaung says she is prepared to help fight the virus, "We are nurses, we are at the front of this virus and we do have the fear of this pandemic that has affected everybody. But with the help of the MECs and everybody involved we are here to fight the COVID-19."
