Suspected Covid-19 cases who are able to should be allowed to self-isolate and not be forcibly detained
19 April 2020
Note to Editors: Kindly find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by DA North West Spokesperson on Health and Social Development, Gavin Edwards.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West has been informed that persons suspected of contracting Covid-19 are being forcibly detained at the Tshepong Hospital in Klerksdorp, Matlosana Local Municipality while their test results are pending.
A resident has been admitted to this designated Covid-19 hospital while awaiting the results of the diagnostic tests. His request to return home and self-isolate was met with forceful resistance by the hospital staff and he was threatened by security to cooperate.
We were also informed that about 10 persons suspected of contracting Covid-19 have been kept involuntarily in a single ward at Tshepong Hospital, with tests results outstanding for more than 5 days.