The spokesperson to the Gauteng health MEC, Kwara Kekana, and the manager for Stakeholder Relations, Julius Maputla, have both tested positive for Covid-19 and are currently self-isolating. Both form part of officials who frequent the Provincial Disaster Management Centre that announced Covid-19 cases earlier this week. 

“The two officials are currently in self-isolation at their respective homes and for the prescribed period, both the MEC for health, Dr Bandile Masuku and the department of health have wished the two a speedy recovery during this period,” announces head of communication in the Gauteng Department of Health, Motalatale Modiba. 

Modiba further adds that both Kekana and Maputla have given consent to the public announcement of their results. 

“We want to commend the two officials who have given consent that their names should be shared publicly, because they believe that this is part of them contributing towards fighting stigma around Covid-19. We want to plead with society that let’s not stigmatise those that test positive but let’s rather offer them support.” 

As part of adhering to protocols around Covid-19 cases, both the command centre and the provincial health department’s offices have been disinfected and later declared safe for employees and officials. 

“We can confirm now that both the command centre and the department of health buildings were disinfected and soon after that they were declared fit for operation”, adds Modiba.    

Tracing of those who might have been in contact with the pair has also been done. The department urges members of the public to adhere to safety measures to prevent and minimise the spread of the virus. 

These measures include the wearing of cloth masks when in public, maintaining a physical distance of at least 1.5 metres or more, continue with good hygiene practices of washing hands regularly with soap or using an alcohol–based hand sanitiser, and disinfect and clean used surfaces continuously. – Health-e News