The Western Cape’s hospitals are under increased pressure as COVID-19 infections continue to rise in the province. There has been a 42% weekly increase in infections as of Thursday, December 3.
According to the Provincial Head of Health Dr Keith Cloete, many healthcare workers are testing positive for COVID-19. In September and October, daily cases were as low as five for the whole province. Within the two days, the department has seen up to 38 cases in a day.
“Tygerberg has 30, Groote Schuur has 28. George Hospital has had 26 – now George Hospital has significantly less staff, followed by Mossel Bay Hospital and Knysna Hospital,” he said during a weekly digi-conference.
“The healthcare worker infections mirror the communities in which these healthcare workers live,” he added.
In a statement released on Thursday, Premier Alan Winde said that the number of active cases in the Western Cape has increased from 7793 on November 26 to 10 442 on December 2. The number of people being admitted into hospital has also continued to increase from 1020 on November 26 to 1253 on December 2.
There are now 209 people in ICU or high care, which means they are receiving critical healthcare either through high-flow oxygen or on ventilators.
The Western Cape Government is taking a three-pronged-approach to roll-back the COVID-19 resurgence in the Western Cape:
- A continuation of our world-class health response to ensure that every person gets care when they need it, with innovative interventions to save lives.
- Behaviour change to prevent new infections, by working with individuals, communities and businesses to adopt protective measures.
- Increased enforcement of existing level 1 regulations that will ensure the compliance needed by all stakeholders to contain the virus.
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