Covid-19: EC healthcare has collapsed, test kits found on the N2

- The Eastern Cape has started to feel the effects of the Covid-19 virus as resources become stretched

- A Eastern Cape doctor said the healthcare system has collapsed and patients are dying in numbers

- In East London, Covid-19 test kits were found on the freeway and the department is investigating

PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed!

Years of malaise and structural underdevelopment in the Eastern Cape have been exposed by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The province's healthcare system is buckling under the Covid-19 pressure and lives are being lost every day. Doctors in the province say the healthcare system has collapsed, reported the City Press.

An Eastern Cape doctor, Dora Ngina said:

"We are sitting with a situation where patients are lying in the corridors of hospitals like Livingstone in Port Elizabeth and are dying, and there may soon be a similar situation."

READ ALSO: Dalindyebo resumes office: Government perks include BMW, R1.2m salary

Ngina noted the lack of adequate personnel, saying there are not enough hands to care for everyone. She added that she feels sorry for the families because they cannot see their loved ones. The only people who get to witness the problems are the medical personnel.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize warned the Eastern Cape of a gathering Covid-19 "storm" after a visit to the province in June.

The Daily Dispatch reported that this morning, Covid-19 test kits dumped on the side of the N2 between East London and King William's Town were found by a passerby. One of the kits was labelled for Grey Hospital in King William's Town.

Eastern Cape Health Department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said the matter was being investigated by the department as well as the National Health Laboratory Services.

Kupelo said a statement on the matter would be released later on Monday.

In Mthatha, Eastern Cape, a family has been hit by the Covid-19 virus and are grappling with how to move forward. Ntando Ndabeni recently lost her mother, Lungelwa Sindiswa Ndabeni, to the virus and her father is in hospital fighting for his life as he also tested positive.

Lungelwa died of Covid-19 on 27 June at Mthatha General Hospital and her husband, Christopher Mongezwa Ndabeni is receiving treatment for the virus in the same hospital.

Briefly.co.za reported that a Cape Town teenager lost both her parents to Covid-19 in a matter of hours and she was overwhelmed with grief but also relieved her parents are 'together'.

Ntando said the family didn't know how they would tell her father that his wife is no more.

Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news!

Source: Briefly News