Ramaphosa threatened with possible litigation over council in charge of response to Covid-19
According to a communique from the NHLS, it temporarily shut down its chemical pathology and haematology laboratories on Monday, adding it would only accept specified “essential tests”.
“All other pathology services will continue as normal. All tests listed on the essential test list will be referred to another NHLS laboratory,” it read.
Uninterrupted
“Since the Covid-19 pandemic started in South Africa, the NHLS GSH laboratory performed testing uninterrupted while implementing stringent measures to reduce workplace transmissions and increase staff awareness.”
According to the advisory, dated 27 April, it had diagnosed at least nine positive staff members in seven days.
“As part of our outbreak response and infection control, drastic measures must be taken to reduce further exposure at work and therefore the decision to revert to a temporary shutdown and an essential test list.”
According to Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, the province had recorded 1 935 positive cases and 38 deaths.
Of those, 624 people have recovered.
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