Staff members protest at Midland Hospital

Breaking News Gallery

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS & VIDEO - Nurses and other staff members of Midland Hospital have been protesting and toyi-toying for the second day at Midland Hospital.

According to a health worker at the hospital, who wishes to remain anonymous, workers at the hospital are unhappy and worried for their safety, following the announcement that a health worker has tested positive for Covid-19.

One additional Covid-19 patient is in isolation at the hospital, according to the source.

“Some people feel unsafe,” the source said. “It doesn’t seem like Midland Hospital wants to close for a deep clean, and staff are only tested after being in contact with a patient with the virus if they show symptoms.”

Another health worker at the hospital told the Advertiser that staff had been tested on May 12, but they had not been given their results.

“I phoned the laboratory myself, as I am anxious to know the results, and I was told that the results were given to management about a week ago,” she said. “I don’t know why we have not been informed — everyone is anxious and worried about their families.”

Photo gallery: Staff strike at Midland Hospital

No confirmation has been received from the hospital about testing procedures.

Watch a video below:

Recently, both Aberdeen and Graaff-Reinet police stations were closed after a member at each had tested positive, and according to cluster commander Brig Adolph, this is SAPS protocol. It has not been established what the Department of Health’s protocol is, when there are other patients in the hospital.

Another source at the hospital has told the Advertiser that the patient, a professional nurse, has been transferred to Livingstone Hospital in Port Elizabeth. There have been conflicting reports on the state of the patient’s health.