Okay to get test results verbally

There is no legal requirement to get a hard copy of Covid-19 results unless one is requested and a verbal confirmation by a healthcare worker is sufficient, says Kwara Kekana, spokeswoman for the office of Gauteng MEC of health.

According to African Reporter, Kekana was responding to the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw), which is unhappy about the Far East Rand Hospital’s handling of alleged Covid-19 cases. The union complained that employees were given their test results verbally.

But Kekana said those who requested a hard copy of the results were issued with one.

The union staged a picket outside the hospital on Wednesday, calling for its complete shutdown for decontamination.

Spokeswoman for the union Kagiso Mokoe said: “Our picket ... was the latest escalation in a series of growing tensions between healthcare workers across the hospital.

“Nupsaw is advocating that the hospital be closed with immediate effect for deep cleaning and [to] provide improved Covid-19 protection in terms of appropriate personal protective equipment to staff.

“We are also asking for more transparency between management and healthcare workers with regards to positive cases at the hospital.”

Nupsaw plans to open talks with the departments of health, and employment and labour.

Kekana said Nupsaw’s call for a shutdown was misplaced.

“Only affected areas were disinfected and fogged,” she said.

“Far East Rand Hospital began mandatory testing of all healthcare workers on 8 April, whether or not they were symptomatic. The first case was reported to management on 18 May.

“To date, four employees have tested positive for Covid-19 and they have all self-isolated at home.”

– Caxton News Service