KZN Health questions St Augustine's and Kingsway Hospital readiness to reopen
KZN's Health MEC says Netcare's St Augustine's and Kingsway Hospitals have contributed significantly to the increasing number of COVID-19 infections in the province.
KZN's Health MEC says Netcare's St Augustine's and Kingsway Hospitals have contributed significantly to the increasing number of COVID-19 infections in the province.
More than 71 healthcare workers have tested positive for the coronavirus at St Augustine's, while Kingsway's reported 20 cases.
Nomagugu-Simelane-Zulu briefed members of the media yesterday as KZN prepares for the easing lockdown regulations on Friday.
She says they've come under pressure from the owners of the hospitals to reopen them. Simelane-Zulu says they can't do this until the facilities prove that the new measures they've taken have been effective.
READ: eThekwini to remain under stringent lockdown regulations come 1 May
She added that they can't just open the hospitals without following the proper measures, "You are exposing not just the healthcare workers but also exposing the patients that are going to be coming in. Increasing the infections in the province, this is something we cannot afford," she said.
"We have a different process at Kingsway and St Augustine's Hospital. They must be patient with us, unfortunately, they have contributed a lot towards our infections."
