Makhura Expresses Concern About Stigmatization Of COVID-19 Patients

Gauteng Premier David Makhura said that healthcare professionals must use their protocols to ensure people who tested positive for COVID-19 were protected.

The provincial government has raised concerns about the stigmatisation of those who have tested positive for the virus in some communities.

On Thursday, Gauteng’s command council gave an update on the spread of the coronavirus, saying the province remains the epicenter of the country.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura said that officials had received a number of complaints about people who have tested positive for COVID-19 being stigmatised.

He said that this had prompted government to be more strict about the kind of information it made public, especially on specific areas where the virus had broken out.

“We do not want to be sharing information about suburbs and specific townships, information which is important for our medical team and our health professionals.”

Makhura said that his government would also be increasing it’s capacity to screen and test people in a bid to flatten the curve in the province.

EWN