NEWAHU demands COVID-19 testing for all Albert Luthuli staff
National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union is demanding the testing of all staff at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital saying this would reveal that a much higher number of nurses have contracted the COVID-19 virus.
The union says it's received reports that over 100 nurses have caught the virus.
On Thursday nurses at the hospital downed tools over a number of issues including, claims that doctors are prioritized over nurses and cleaning staff when it comes to testing for the deadly virus.
NEHAWU president, Mzwandile Makwayiba, says many of the nurses also claim they do not receive their results in writing but are simply relayed outcomes verbally by management.
Nehawu Provincial Secretary, Ayanda Zulu says they have received reports that over 100 nurses have tested positive for #COVIDー19 in the Albert Luthuli Hospital. @ECR_Newswatch pic.twitter.com/l6QA3qI53k
— Nushera Raisa Soodyal (@nushera) July 2, 2020
Makwayiba says they're adamant staff mass testing at the hospital is the only solution.
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"This 100 that we are talking about are those that have tested. The possibility is that more than 200 is positive it's just that they haven't been tested," he said.
"The problem is testing, the problem is compassionate, the problem is the management of safety, and that management of the safety derives from the PPEs."
