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Last updated on Jul 2nd, 2020 at 07:48 am
The Eastern Cape Department of Health has launched an investigation after hundreds of used Covid-19 test kits were found dumped on the side of the N2 highway near Mdantsane in East London…
The discovery comes in a week when infection rates appear to be rising dramatically, and amid a massive testing backlog nationally and in the specific province.
The samples were discovered by a jogger on Monday morning, who posted the discovery on social media.
It is understood that the samples were labelled as coming from the Bhisho, Grey, and Frere Hospitals, as well as clinics in the Buffalo City Metro, and were still due for testing in Port Elizabeth.
In a report on SABC’s Full View, Yanga Funani, says that some of the tests may have been lying around for over a week. He had spoken to other joggers and pedestrians who say they had passed the samples around a week ago.
According to Funani, the wind had blown some of the samples to a nearby homestead, and that children had been found playing with them.
Watch the report below:
In pictures posted on social media, all the patients’ details could be clearly seen.
Social media users voiced their concerns over the discovery:
Hundreds of #COVID19SouthAfrica test kits have been found dumped next to the N2 highway near Mdantsane in East London by a jogger. Are we ever going to beat this “invisible” enemy 💀 pic.twitter.com/ZQhBENKZ1D
— Made in KwaZulu-Natal 🐐 🇿🇦 (@nhlanhla_bhelo) June 29, 2020
Over 500 test kits with people’s particulars were found dumped between East London and King William Town this morning.
This is gross negligence and a violation to people’s human rights. The Eastern Cape Health Department never ceases to disappoint. pic.twitter.com/ZK3NtFHBvr
— Nokuthula Mlokoti (@NMlokoti) June 29, 2020
Four weeks no results?
Gosh.
And just yesterday we’re hearing that dumped test kits were found in the Eastern Cape….😖
I hope she recovers.
Sorry. https://t.co/jvQBeE0a23— Justine Limpitlaw (@JustineLimLaw) June 30, 2020
Eastern Cape Health Department spokesperson, Sizwe Kupelo, says the COVID-19 test kits dumped on the N2 was not a Departmental issue but “a matter between a courier company and the National Health Laboratory Services.” pic.twitter.com/kpp6sxPMav
— Right2Know (@r2kcampaign) June 29, 2020
Dumped #COVID19 test kits in EC (N2) Mdantsane I give up @DrZweliMkhize @GovernmentZA
— HK (@HKM316) June 29, 2020
Working hard? Please tell us where because all we’re hearing is hospitals are full, shortage of ventilators and test kits being dumped. The EC needs drastic attention
— Kimmy (@badgirlKeeks) June 29, 2020
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Gopolang Moloko – Citizen
The post Jogger finds shocking Covid-19 tests kits on N2, East London appeared first on Citizen.
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