By Vumani Mthiyane
TWO doctors and seven nurses at Gwanda Provincial Hospital have tested positive to Covid-19, it has been established.
According to sources at the hospital, a doctor and a nurse tested positive on Monday forcing the hospital authorities to test all the health workers at the hospital.
After the tests, another doctor and six nurses were confirmed to have contracted the virus.
“On Monday they tested all health workers who were duty. This exercise was conducted following two positive cases of one doctor and a nurse,” confirmed a nurse who declined to be named for professional reasons.
Another senior nurse at the hospital who spoke on condition of anonymity said there was panic among the hospital staff.
“It is now scary to go to work because you might never know who has Covid-19 after two of our doctors and seven staff members including nurses tested positive on Tuesday. Results came out yesterday evening and those positive cases are currently on isolation,” said the nurse.
Contacted for a comment, Gwanda Acting Medical Superintendent Dr Blessing Gwarimbo said he iwas on leave and directed this publication to the Matabeleland South Provincial Medical Director Dr Rudo Chikodzere.
Dr Chikodzere said she was in Plumtree and “cannot comment or confirm what is happening at Gwanda hospital.”
Ministry of Health and Child Care permanent secretary, Dr Gilbert Mhlanga declined to comment and referred the matter to acting Health Minister Amon Murwira who was not immediately available.
