COVID-19 safety and cleaning protocol at health facilities | Western Cape Government

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COVID-19 safety and cleaning protocol at health facilities

14 May 2020

Coronavirus safety and cleaning protocol followed at health facilities to ensure continued service delivery

As the pattern of the spread of Coronavirus develops, it is clear that new clusters of infections are concentrated in the places where people congregate such as essential services. Health facilities are also places where gatherings occur and over the last few days we have found positive cases of staff at various health facilities across the province (facilities recently affected include District Six CDC, Du Noon CHC, Matthew Goniwe, Retreat CDC, Valkenberg, and Dr Abdurahman CHC).  

The safety of our staff and clients is of utmost importance to Western Cape Government Health, which is why certain protocols are followed to ensure the facility can continue to render services. This may entail closing the facility for a short period of time or adjusting the patient flow so that the affected area can be decontaminated while service delivery continue.

In the event a positive cases is confirmed at any health facility, the health facility OR the specific contaminated area within the facility may be temporarily closed to allow for the containment of the spread of the virus and decontamination. All staff in the affected areas are screened. Testing will be done for those who are deemed at risk and will be sent home while awaiting their results.  In the event a staff member or clients tests positive, all close contacts will be asked to quarantine at home. As per protocol, the facility OR affected area will be decontaminated, deep cleaned in line with prescribed infection prevention standards and reopened with staff who do not pose a risk. 

The temporary closure might result in some services unavailable for a short period of time.

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