GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The steep rising trend in Covid-19 infections in the Garden Route continues while hospitals are filling up. Yet a further increase week on week of over 100% was recorded this week.
Private hospitals are also fuller because of Covid-19 cases. "We are very full, but are still coping. Our visiting hours have been suspended until further notice," said Mediclinic George manager Kassie Karstens.
Mossel Bay Municipality issued a statement this week regarding Life Bay View Hospital that is 100% full. No beds are available and only heart patients would be admitted. New patients will be referred to Cape Town and Qgeberha as no beds are available at other private hospitals in the district, said the municipality.
Garden Route health spokesperson Nadia Ferreira said admissions to public hospitals are also increasing, although none of the district's hospitals are currently under pressure.
"George Hospital is not under pressure, but has had a big increase in admissions. Harry Comay Hospital is commissioning a 20-bed Covid ward to provide support for step-down patients from George Hospital."
She said the visitation policy has been amended to limit visitors to reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection. "We appeal to the public to respect these new measures. Although we know it is extremely challenging to not be with a loved one to support them, we have to be responsible and protect one another."
All sub-districts had large percentage increases in new cases. Active cases in the Garden Route as at Tuesday 22 June stand at 1 449 (George 547, Mossel Bay 533, Knysna 119, Oudtshoorn 85, Hessequa 83, Bitou 72 and Kannaland 10).
The current reproductive number of infections in the Western Cape is approximately 1,4 - which means that 14 people are infected for every 10 people with Covid.
13 deaths in past week
The number of Covid-related deaths in the Garden Route is increasing. In the seven days up until Monday 21 June, 13 deaths were recorded compared with none to three a few weeks ago.
On average, 13 people die per day in the province as a result of Covid, according to the Western Cape Health Department.
A graph of the Western Cape Health Department showing the increase in the reproduction number, currently at 1,4. This means for every 10 people with Covid, 14 others will be infected.
Vaccination of teachers starting
Vaccination of teachers is starting this week in accordance with the national vaccination programme. The Western Cape Education Department confirmed that it has received an allocation of Johnson & Johnson vaccines, also for independent schools.
Bronagh Hammond, spokesperson for the department, said there are eight vaccination sites in the Garden Route for the education sector.
"These are separate sites that have been established for the education sector specifically. We are not disclosing them publicly as we do not want the public to confuse these with the over-60 roll-out sites."
She said schools will be notified of the date, time and site at which they are to attend on any given day.
According to Ferreira, the Garden Route teacher vaccination programme starts today, Thursday 24 June.
A shortage of vaccines remains a hampering factor in vaccination roll-out.
Premier Alan Winde said last week the province has not been able to reach its target of 120 000 vaccinations per week by now. For the whole province, 49 140 vaccines were received for the current week.
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