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Western Cape Health Director Dr. Keith Cloete said hospitals throughout the metro are under heavy pressure due to the rapid increase in cases.
Healthcare workers at a Western Cape facility test a coronavirus testing booth donated by the Arm in Arm organization in Africa. Image: supplied
CAPE TOWN – The Health Department said increasing stress on medical facilities is a major concern, especially ahead of the second wave spike in COVID-19 infections.
South Africa has passed the 100,000 mark in active cases, 14,386 of them in Gauteng, while about 33,000 are in the Western Cape.
Meanwhile, a new variant of COVID-19 is said to be accelerating the spread of the virus.
Western Cape Health Director Dr. Keith Cloete said active cases are at an all-time high.
“It is the highest we have had so far and that has resulted in 2401 people being admitted to the hospital.”
He said hospitals throughout the metro are under heavy pressure due to the rapid increase in cases, especially in the past two to three weeks.
Facilities in Mitchell’s Plain have been hit the hardest for the past three days.
“Over the past 72 hours there has been significant pressure on Mitchell’s Plain hospitals.”
Cloete said the department had to realign its system freeing up capacity where possible to accommodate COVID-19 patients.
He added that they are still evaluating what impact the new restrictions have had on the facilities.
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