Covid-19 samples ‘fell off bakkie’
● Investigation continues into test samples found on roadside
Investigations into how 80 Covid-19 test samples ended up on the side of the highway near East London are still ongoing.
Health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has called on the courier company outsourced to transport the samples to be fired.
Responding to questions on the matter, the National Health Laboratory Service’s Mzi Gcukumana said: “Please note that the matter is still under investigation.”
A passerby on Monday discovered dozens of samples alongside the N2 between King William’s Town and East London.
On Tuesday, Gcukumana said the service had deployed nurses to the Eastern Cape to collect fresh samples from the suspected Covid-19 patients whose tests were lost in transit.
He said the bulk of the samples were for coronavirus testing.
“The NHLS courier services in this area are outsourced to Gibela Trade and Invest.
“Gibela Trade and Invest is therefore responsible for sample transportation between health facilities and laboratories,” Gcukumana said.
“The NHLS has reported the incident to the police and requested a full report from the courier on what caused the incident.”
On Twitter, Mkhize said the incident was disappointing and he asked that the “services of the company be suspended”.
“We cannot have this type of negligence. We are grateful to those who spotted [the samples] and reported this matter.”
Mkhize also said additional staff would be sent to the province to monitor the progress being made in the fight against Covid-19.
Meanwhile, the courier company has suggested the kits “fell off” the bakkie in which they were being transported.
The NHLS said yesterday that an “initial report from the courier states the canvas cover on the bakkie had opened without the driver realising it.
“Further investigations will take place and the NHLS will take the appropriate legal action against the supplier.”
The lab service said it was “perturbed by the incident”.
By Tuesday, the Eastern Cape had 27,686 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 422 deaths, while 14,081 people had recovered after contracting the virus.
During a media briefing on Tuesday, Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane conceded the health department was overwhelmed and had requested the national government to deploy the medical team of the SA National Defence Force to assist the province.