The number of health workers who have tested positive for COVID-19 in South Africa stands at 27,360, the Ministry of Health said in a statement on Thursday.
According to statistics from the ministry, 6,027 workers are from the private sector while 21,333 are from the public sector.
The ministry said that 1,644 of the health care workers were doctors, 14,143 were nurses, 28 were Port Health workers and 11,545 were from other categories of health workers.
“The overall infection rate amongst health care workers as compared to the total number of cases identified nationally is 5% which is well below the global average of 10%,” the statement said.
The ministry added that 240 health workers had died from the disease with the majority of them (203 or about 85 percent) coming from the public sector.
“We salute these fallen soldiers and pay tribute to them for their commitment to serving the people of South Africa right until the very end. We extend our condolences to all the family, friends and colleagues of these valuable members of society.”
16,005 health workers have recovered from the disease, translating to a 58% recovery rate among health workers, the ministry noted.
The figures released by the ministry were collated and verified as of August 4, 2020.
Earlier this month, the ministry launched an investigation into reasons why the country’s healthcare workers were increasingly contracting the coronavirus while discharging their duties.
Surges in infections, shortages of staff, unsafe environments and a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) have been blamed for the increases in infections among health workers.
A report into the findings of the committee is expected to be submitted to Health minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize next week.
Figures from the World Health Organisation indicate that the African countries with the highest number of infections among health workers are South Africa, Algeria, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon and Kenya.
