SPIKE IN COVID DEATHS
Backlogged data, post mortem swabs and unconfirmed outcomes at facilities were provided as reasons for the overnight spike in Covid-19 deaths, not only in Limpopo but across the country.
This comes as Limpopo, on Tuesday, recorded 238 Covid-19 related deaths in the span of 24 hours, bringing the total death toll in the province to 977.
In a statement published by the
National Health Insurance (NHI), Health Minister Zweli Mkhize explained that the sudden spike in deaths is due to data reconciliation as part of the regular auditing process.
This includes the analysis of community data taking into account (among others) post mortem swabs, backlogged data and unconfirmed outcomes at facilities.
Mkhize visited to province yesterday (Wednesday) to do an oversight visit at various hospitals across Limpopo.
Of the 238 additional deaths, 160 are from private facilities while 78 come from public facilities. In a media statement released by Health, the figures are said to date back as far as August 2020.
Health MEC, Phophi Ramathuba referred to this figures not just as figures, but as “loved ones who have left us”.
“This is indeed a difficult time for the people of our province. We have seen up to six deaths happening in one family.
Families are broken.”
She further indicated the importance of psychosocial support in these difficult times.
“After the psychosocial support hub that we initiated for our healthcare workers, we are now as the department currently finalising our psychosocial support program for grieving families. May the soul of our departed family members and friends rest in peace.”
The department has also called upon all the people of our province to continue to avoid gatherings including funerals, ensure they wear masks, wash their hands with water and soap or sanitise with a 70% alcohol-based sanitiser at all times.
Data reconciliation is part of our regular auditing processes. Unfortunately, some of the latest figures date back to August 2020. - Statement by National Health Department