EASTERN CAPE - WILL EC HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS BUCKLE UNDER THE PRESSURE OF RISING COVID-19 INFECTIONS?

The Eastern Cape has raised concerns about scattered cluster infections of COVID-19 that may put pressure on the healthcare system of the province.

This as the province anticipates a second surge of the virus. The provincial government is now focusing on the state of hospital infrastructure and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) sufficiency as they were the main issues when COVID-19 hit the province.

The focus is on the Bhisho Hospital as it is treating the patients from the cluster outbreak from Walter Sisulu and Fort Hare universities. The hospital also took ownership of a critical donation as it prepares for the second wave.

Bhisho Hospital is now one of the quarantine sites in the province as it gears for a second wave.

This hospital was under pressure during the peak. However, to improve the capacity of the hospital, Gift of the Givers has donated 100 beds and 30 high nasal oxygen machines and supplementary PPE.

“Due to this donation, the hospital was able to open the COVID-19 ward. At this moment, they have plus-minus 50 patients and if it wasn’t for the donation from us as a partnership with this hospital, this would have not been possible,” says Gift of the Givers co-ordinator, Corene Conradie.

via - SABC