Call for COVID-19 testing at Durban hostel after two suspected virus fatalities
An eThekwini hostel organisation is calling on the KwaZulu-Natal Health Department to urgently conduct COVID-19 mass testing at Thokoza Women's Hostel in Durban.
This after two women died at the hostel at the weekend, allegedly due to COVID-19 related complications.
One elderly woman was found dead by her roommate while the other died a day later in hospital.
Ubunye Bamahostela, which represents residents living in Durban's hostels, says they had been aware of the COVID-19 positive individuals living at the hostel.
Spokesperson, Mvuzo Ntombela says out of the 10 hostel dwellers that tested positive initially, eight are still living at the hostel.
"So if our government can help Thokoza residents with PPEs and make sure that everyone gets tested for COVID-19.
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"I think that would also help the government to know how many people here need to be in quaratine, so everyone here can be safe because there are kids who are living there."
Mvuzo says the virus could easily spread among the dwellers considering the living conditions.
"There is an issue of overcrowding at the hostel. Some people are sleeping in the passage and are between eight and 10 in a room, so there is no social distancing at the hostel."
KZN Department of Health says they are still investigating the incident at the hostel.
