GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The Garden Route and Klein Karoo district should be able to provide enough hospital beds during the coming peak of Covid-19 infections expected by the end of July/beginning of August, according to Health Department district director Zee Briggles.
Briggles said on Monday the total bed capacity in the eight state hospitals in the region is 756. A total of 463 beds can be made available as the need arises. -
He said this is "pretty close" to the worst case scenario for infections which estimates a need for 459 beds during the peak of the pandemic. He was hopeful that it will be closer to the optimistic model which predicts a demand for 235 beds.
Shortfall at George Hospital
At the George Hospital, 89 beds are available for Covid-19 patients, 71 short of the 160 beds required should the pessimistic model become a reality. This shortfall would be provided for by 75 beds that could be made available at Harry Comay TB Hospital.
The 75 beds at Harry Comay would consist of 40 existing beds, 20 additional beds, and a "pod" or field hospital with 15 beds. Western Cape Health Department spokesperson Leensie Lötter previously told George Herald that patient services (excluding the emergency section) of each hospital in the district have been de-escalated to provide beds for Covid-19 patients.
Additional beds and wards will be opened up as needed to create further space.
Field hospitals, like the Cape Town International Convention Centre, are an alternative option, should the need for more beds arise.
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