South Africa looking at new lockdown measures around Indian and other Covid variants: Mkhize
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Health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize says that South Africa is largely isolated from the possible importation of the B.1.617 variant circulating in India, but that the country is investigating further measures to protect itself.
Mkhize said that South Africa currently has no direct flights from India and that all its ports of entry employ stringent containment procedures to minimise the importation of Covid-19.
He added that the country is on ‘high alert’ to screen passengers and test those who require further assessment.
“We have not detected the B.1.617 variant as yet in South Africa; however, we have consulted members of the genomics team who have informed us that they have intensified their surveillance – not only to ensure that variant can be detected quickly, but also to understand what the implications are for us in the context of B.1.351 being the dominant variant in
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize will visit the hospital to assess the damage.
The hospital will be closed for seven days.
The Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital has referred outpatients to other facilities, after a devastating fire over the weekend prompted it to close for seven days.
Smoke hangs heavily in the air on Friday in the wake of a devastating fire at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
Twitter PHOTO: Twitter/Gauteng Health
Gauteng health department spokesperson Kwara Kekana said that, in a bid to minimise disruptions after the fire, contingency plans were put in place for outpatients.
The fire broke out at the hospital s dispensary on Friday morning and was quickly contained. But it reignited later in the evening and caused severe damage.
Charlotte Maxeke Hospital fire: Patients relocated to neighbouring facilities Spokesperson Kwara Kekana said patients were being relocated, and details about the number of patients that have so far been moved to neighbouring hospitals would be confirmed later on Saturday. A fire broke out at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Johannesburg on Friday, 16 April 2021. Picture: Twitter/@GautengHealth
3 hours ago
JOHANNESBURG – The Gauteng health department said details about the relocation of patients who have been evacuated from the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital would be revealed in due course.
The department in collaboration with emergency services have been evacuating patients at the hospital following an all-night raging fire.
3rd floor parking collapses as EMS battle blaze at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital
17 April 2021 7:42 AM
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A fire that started on Friday, was contained but unfortunately reignited has led to patients being moved to other facilities.
Emergency services are on-site at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital following a fire that broke out on Friday morning, was contained but unfortunately reignited.
The blaze that occurred at the hospital s dispensary has led to the third floor parking collapsing and patients being moved to other facilities.
This hospital is shut down - Charlotte Maxeke hospital closes for a week after fire news24.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from news24.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.