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Western Cape Health Chief Dr. Keith Cloete said it was a nightmare for medical staff to relive another surge in COVID-19 cases where no one was safe.
Snorkel masks protect healthcare personnel at Tygerberg Hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic. Image: Government of the Western Cape.
CAPE TOWN – The Western Cape Health Department said Sunday that the safety of front-line workers remains paramount, as hundreds have died from complications from COVID-19.
Coming to the end of a bleak, mentally and physically challenging year, there is no relief for many as healthcare personnel help tame the flames of the second wave.
A new COVID-19 mutation, cited as the 501.V2 variant, has raised fears.
Provincial health chief Dr. Keith Cloete said 51 employees had been hospitalized in the past two weeks.
“They have gone through a year that no healthcare worker has ever experienced in the country and around the world.”
Cloete said it was a nightmare for medical staff to relive another surge in COVID-19 cases where no one was safe.
“Unfortunately, five of those 51 have died. The pressure on healthcare workers is tremendous. “
And the number of patients continues to rise, especially in the subway, where the department is already grappling with staff shortages.
“As we open the capacity for COVID, the problem is that it arises when the number of health workers that we have available to provide the service is less because they have been infected.”
This also comes at a time when it is more difficult to find replacement personnel.
Cloete said the department was exploring all options to hire nurses, doctors and other medical staff to help.
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