The iconic Cape Town Convention Centre (CTICC) has been transformed into a temporary hospital for COVID-19 patients, and will soon open to help those in need.
The temporary hospital is scheduled to open on June 8. It will have 862 beds which will cater to patients with milder clinical signs who need hospitalisation and treatment, including administration of oxygen.
The CTICC will not provide for care for patients with more severe clinical signs, which will require intensive care treatment. There will be about 800 healthcare workers to assist the patients.
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On April 29, premier Alan Winde announced that the CTICC would be turned into a temporary hospital to treat COVID-19 patients.
“Since it opened its doors, the CTICC has been an important part of the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape- contributing to the travel and events economy and creating thousands of jobs. It has hosted world leaders and celebrations. Its use as a hospital to care for hundreds of ill people during this global pandemic is its most significant contribution to our region yet,” said Winde in a statement.
The agreement between the Western Cape government and the CTICC allows for the venue to act as a temporary hospital until September 7, with an option to extend this on a month-to-month basis until the end of the year.
The CTICC has agreed to waive the hire cost of the venue, as part of its contribution to the fight against coronavirus. The temporary infrastructure build, operating and catering costs for the initial hire period will total approximately R47-million. This amount excludes the costs the Department of Health will incur in providing clinical equipment, oxygen, medication and temporary staff for the temporary hospital.
Picture: Screenshot from video