While Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has raised concerns about the rapid increase of Covid-19 cases in the Eastern Cape, its largest casualty unit with a dedicated isolation site, Livingstone Hospital, is struggling.
The provincial health department confirmed the unit had been hit by a shortage of sterile gloves, gowns and employees, including doctors, nurses and porters, while its Accident and Emergency Unit had not been cleaned for days.
On Thursday, department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo told News24 the unit had not been cleaned and it had no sterile gloves and gowns as of Wednesday afternoon.
On Wednesday, the Daily Maverick reported some patients were left lying in the casualty unit as there were not enough porters to take them to wards, and the hospital had to temporarily close down its Accident and Emergency Unit.
On Thursday, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane said one of those who tested positive for the virus was his own special advisor in the office, Zandisile Qupe.
