Elderly man succumbs to COVID-19    

Polokwane – An elderly man succumbed to COVID-19 (coronavirus) on Tuesday 15 April at Netcare Pholoso Hospital in Polokwane. The man, who was admitted at the medical facility on 7 April, is the first person from Limpopo to succumb to COVID-19.

The Limpopo health department said the victim had underlying illnesses, which increased his susceptibility to COVID-19.

A spokesperson in the Limpopo provincial government, Thilivhali Muavha, said: “The patient was assessed and screened for COVID-19 symptoms and exposure, according to the Netcare protocol. After he was confirmed positive, additional measures were implemented to safeguard patients, healthcare professionals, workers and administrative staff to ensure they remain safe and fully protected.”

Doctors, staff members at the hospital and patients were also placed on a two-week quarantine.

“The MEC for health and Netcare Pholoso have extended their condolences to the family of the deceased and his loved ones,” Muavha concluded.