When a second-year law student was diagnosed with Covid-19 a week ago, his biggest fear was facing the poor service, rude nurses and ill-treatment that many South Africans complain about when admitted to public hospitals.
However, Mlungisi Masikane was pleasantly surprised when he was admitted to Clairwood Hospital in Durban.
“The level of care and the infrastructure of the facility was puzzling. I expected the usual unprofessional care normally displayed by nurses in public hospitals. The staff were absolutely caring and loving. They value their work and from a public hospital I think this behaviour should be encouraged. Public institutions such as these should be appreciated, especially since public hospitals are known for giving the worst service,” he said.
Alterations and additions to seven wards at Clairwood Hospital — including refurbishment of roofing, windows, sewerage and plumbing — at a cost of R312m was the KwaZulu-Natal health department’s most expensive infrastructure project in the fight against Covid-19.
Clairwood is one of more than 20 health facilities across the province that have been refurbished and where alterations have been made to existing wards to create isolation and quarantine centres.
Masikane was among 13 students who tested positive at UKZN’s Howard College residence in Mayville.
He had a nasal test on November 8, and received a positive result two days later.
“The college has managed the situation in the most urgent, effective and professional manner,” he said.
Positive students were taken to Clairwood Hospital.
“Most students have been released from the hospital and we are all doing well,” said Masikane.
UKZN spokesperson Normah Zondo said the outbreak on November 9 was in the Mayville Court Residence, an external student residence near Howard College campus.
“This residence houses 70 students. All students who tested positive were transferred to the department of health facilities. A student from the College of Health Sciences also tested positive for Covid-19 on the Westville campus. She was in contact with five people in the residence and is now in isolation.”
“Contact tracing is under way, stemming from all possible interactions,” she said.
This brings the number of students who have tested positive for Covid-19 in UKZN residences to 35.
Zondo said: “This development is extremely distressing for the university as we have taken every precaution possible to ensure the safety of our students. We, however, cannot do this alone, and it is incumbent on our UKZN community as a whole to be as vigilant as possible.
“It is unsettling that new Covid-19 infections are centred on our residences, as it signals we are likely to result in more cases emerging from these facilities despite our best efforts to keep our students safe,” Zondo said.
She appealed to students to stay away from all mass gatherings or events.
“Events and mass gatherings are a high risk, with significant potential to spread the deadly virus. Students are urged to be vigilant and to alert the university if they suspect they have developed any symptoms. Students and staff are reminded that the mandatory precautions for Covid-19 will continue, despite the country being put on level 1 lockdown.”
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