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Photo: Tom Brown

Home » PHOTOS: Ekurhuleni Clinic Closes After Nurse Tests Positive for COVID-19

PHOTOS: Ekurhuleni Clinic Closes After Nurse Tests Positive for COVID-19

The Duduza Clinic near Nigel in Ekurhuleni, South Africa, has been shut indefinitely today – Thursday 2 April – following a resident nurse testing positive for Covid-19.  The infected nurse was reportedly among the 859 churchgoers whom attended a prayer meeting – the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast – at the Divine Restoration Ministries in Bloemfontein, earlier […]

By Tom Brown
21-04-20 00:47
in Business
south african mask lockdown
Photo: Tom Brown

The Duduza Clinic near Nigel in Ekurhuleni, South Africa, has been shut indefinitely today – Thursday 2 April – following a resident nurse testing positive for Covid-19. 

Local resident stands confused outside the now shut Duduza Clinic, Nigel.
Local resident stands confused outside the now shut Duduza Clinic, Nigel. She explained that she had hoped to pick up chronic medications, as she does every month. She was visibly relieved when informed that two mobile clinics were deployed not far away. PHOTO: All photos by Tom Brown

The infected nurse was reportedly among the 859 churchgoers whom attended a prayer meeting – the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast – at the Divine Restoration Ministries in Bloemfontein, earlier last month.

Seventy attendees of the gathering have thus far contracted the virus, including leader of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) Rev Kenneth Meshoe.

Delivery of sanitizing materials
Delivery of sanitizing materials

The City of Ekurhuleni announced that tracing efforts were currently underway; and the facility and surrounding area would be sanitized in an effort to prevent community transmissions.

Clinical staff displaying symptoms have also been tested and remain in self-isolation awaiting results.

Pedestrian dons improvised mask whilst passing the clinic
Pedestrian dons improvised mask whilst passing the clinic

The city also called for calm in communities, stating: “What is of the utmost importance is that we isolate the virus wherever it rears its ugly head. As a city, we wish our nurse a speedy recovery.”

In lieu of the facility’s closure, mobile clinics have been deployed.

Mobile Clinics deployed following the closure of the Duduza Clinic.
Mobile Clinics deployed following the closure of the Duduza Clinic.

A nurse stationed at one of the two deployed units expressed disbelief at the clinic shutting, saying: “If a whole clinic is shut for one case, what will happen if this thing gets bigger?”

Mobile clinic staff near Duduza Ekurhuleni
Mobile clinic staff near Duduza Ekurhuleni have noticed an increased request for masks following the Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula’s relaxing of taxi regulations to 70% capacity during lockdown.

She said she was happy to report it had been a rather quiet day, with only a steady
increase in community members making requests for masks and hand sanitisers.

According to clinic staff there has been an increase in request for these items following Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula’s relaxing of taxi regulations during lockdown. Amended regulations now allow for taxis to carry up to 70% capacity, given all passengers are wearing either surgical or N95/FFP2 masks.

Duduza residents say they fear taxi drivers would pick those with masks over those without. They say that for the most part, it was business as usual for taxis in rural townships.

Tom Brown is a photographer based between India and South Africa, specializing in street, event and documentary photography. Follow Tom on Instagram.