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- Netcare says it is limiting surgical admissions in accordance with Covid-19 protocols.
- Private hospitals have reported an influx of patients during the second wave of Covid-19 infections in the coastal provinces.
- Visits will also be limited “to exceptional cases only” to protect the health of staff and patients.
As Covid-19 numbers continue to rise across the country during the second wave of the pandemic, the Netcare hospital group is limiting its surgeries and visits.
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Netcare CEO Dr. Richard Friedland told News24 that the hospital group had reestablished policies and procedures that were put in place during the first surge in early 2020, following an increase in confirmed Covid-19 cases in Eastern Cape, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. .
“Netcare hospitals are restricting visits to exceptional cases only. In addition, we are limiting all surgical admissions to cases that are considered medically necessary and where a delay in surgery could be detrimental to the patient,” he said.
It said they were maintaining a cautious approach and that strict Covid-19 precautionary measures were in place at all of their facilities.
On Saturday, Mediclinic announced that it had suspended all elective (non-emergency) surgeries in the Western Cape region to build capacity.
Greater number of patients
The Mediclinic group said it had seen increased numbers of patients coming to its hospitals amid the second wave of the pandemic and this had created a strong demand for care in the South Cape, Western Cape and other areas.
Mediclinic added that the number of patients seeking medical care is higher than in the first wave and that the demand for its intensive care and higher care units had reached capacity.
The dramatic increase in the number has put pressure on available healthcare resources, including the staff, equipment and beds available to provide intensive treatment to seriously ill patients, the group said.
“In the last month, Mediclinic has seen an increase from fewer than 100 patients admitted with Covid-19 to more than 500 patients within its facilities in the Western Cape, including the Garden Route,” it said in a statement Saturday.
By Saturday, South Africa had reported 912,477 cases of Covid-19 after an increase of 10,939 new cases. The death toll is 24,539.
News24 reported Friday that genomic scientists across the country found a new variant of the coronavirus, called 501.V2, which has between 10 and 20 new mutations, who have been analyzing genetic samples of the virus since the start of the pandemic.
Friedland added that hospital group Netcare had also seen a “significant increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in the hotspot areas of KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape,” with cases starting to rise in Gauteng.
“We expect admissions to increase even more when tourists return to the province from hotspots along the coast. It is also worrying that we are seeing more serious cases in the second wave,” he said.
However, admissions in the Eastern Cape have started to stabilize, Friedland said.
“Netcare urges each and every person to take Covid-19 extremely seriously and to be even more cautious during the holiday season. Every time people come together, there are opportunities for the virus to potentially spread. Be vigilant to help protect your loved ones, yourself and the healthcare system, “he added.
“We wish to urge people who have contracted the virus to seek timely medical help if their condition worsens, and do not postpone it until their condition deteriorates to the point where it becomes a medical emergency.”
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