Coronavirus

10 June 2020

COVID-19: Western Cape Provincial Overview 10

Municipalities in the Western Cape continue to provide ongoing support to their communities as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to affect citizens across the province.

The Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, Anton Bredell, says municipalities have been providing basic services throughout the entire lockdown period.

“Tackling Covid-19 has seen the coming together of all sectors including the state, the private sector and NGOs in ongoing efforts to assist our people. Municipalities across the province have been feeding their vulnerable communities throughout the entire lockdown period and this continues. Councils have been passing their budgets for the new financial year that started on 1 June. We have seen many changes to proposed budgets to better provide for ongoing Covid-19 challenges. This is necessary to ensure we can best ensure our communities are looked after. I want to commend our councils for the hard work they have been putting in.”

Updates from some municipalities across the province includes:

• The City of Cape Town’s Health Department has secured the services of 490 Expanded Public Works employees to help drive COVID-19 education and awareness initiatives in the city. The City’s Urban Management Directorate has reprioritised and set aside R12 million from its 2019/2020 budget for immediate social humanitarian relief in vulnerable wards in the city.
• Overstrand Municipality is offering hotels, guest houses, Bed & Breakfasts and self-catering properties some relief for the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on tourism during the national lockdown. The Residential rates tariff will be applied instead of the Business rates tariff.
• In the Swartland municipal area, approximately 77 feeding schemes continues to provide meals to the vulnerable.
• Theewaterskloof Municipality – Indigent subsidies that expired during lockdown will be extended until the end of the current financial year. Subsidy beneficiaries do not have to visit the office to re-apply at this moment. Residents who are unemployed and struggling to pay for municipal rates and services and who qualify in terms of the Indigent Policy are encouraged to apply for the Indigent Subsidy.
• In Stellenbosch, ongoing community screening and testing for Covid-19 is progressing well. Soup kitchens and food distribution to vulnerable communities through the Stellenbosch Unite partnership continues. The temporary homeless shelter remains in operation with approximately 60 people in the facility.
• The Executive Mayor and Councillors of Drakenstein Municipality, as well as the City Manager and all municipal officials will not receive salary increases in the 2020/2021 financial year. In addition, the Municipality has aimed to keep the new financial year municipal tariff increases as low as possible. This is in response to the financial challenges faced by the Drakenstein community as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Prince Albert Municipality has encouraged households earning below R3700 per month to apply for an indigent subsidy at the municipality.
• In support of a project coordinated by the Department of Local Government, West Coast District Municipality is funding and assisting local municipalities with the transportation of tons of donated citrus fruit from a farm outside Stellenbosch. The fruit will assist municipalities in the West Coast region with their various ongoing humanitarian and social relief initiatives.

Bredell has urged all citizens with questions or concerns or who wish to make a contribution in the ongoing struggle to visit the provincial website: www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus or to get in touch with their local municipalities for assistance.

“In addition, if you have flu-like symptoms, and may have come into contact with someone who has COVID-19, please contact the provincial hotline on 021 928 4102 for advice on what to do next.”

 ENDS.

Media enquiries:

James-Brent Styan

Spokesperson for the Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell

Mobile: 084 583 1670 / E-mail: James-Brent.Styan@westerncape.gov.za

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE BY DAVID MAYNIER AND JAMES VOS

Date: 10 June 2019

Release: immediately

Cape Town International Airport open for business travel

Today (10 June 2020), Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, David Maynier, and City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, Alderman James Vos, visited Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) to assess the steps taken by airport management to re-open the airport, and ensure the safety of those working at the airport, as well as the business professionals traveling on the flights that have resumed this week.

With the move to Alert Level 3 on the 1 June 2020 allowing business travellers to take to the skies once more, it is important that everyone adheres to the critical safety measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 while travelling.

CTIA General Manager, Deon Cloete, led a tour of the airport highlighting the important steps taken to ensure operational readiness. During the tour it was particularly highlighted that the security points are traditionally high touch points, and with this in mind, to protect passengers and airport staff, there is a concerted drive to limit contact with the passenger. As a result, passengers are requested to:

• Scan their own boarding passes
• Place all of their loose items in their hand luggage
• Re-enter the queue should they trigger the metal detector
• Only laptops will be allowed in trays

Minister David Maynier, thanked CTIA management for their efforts to ensure operational readiness: “It is great to know that CTIA is ready to welcome businesses travellers to Cape Town and the Western Cape. For now, and perhaps for some time, flight travel will be different to what we’ve become accustomed to as we implement safety measures to stop the spread of Covid-19. There is no doubt that the pandemic will have a severe impact on businesses and the jobs, and so it is critical that where we can continue open the economy safely, even in a limited way, everyone sticks to the rules so that we can save businesses and save jobs in the Western Cape.”

Alderman James Vos said, “Today’s visit solidifies the confidence we have in the CTIA team to ensure that travellers arrive at their destinations safely. As a City, we are ready to continue our partnership with CTIA to position Cape Town, as a destination of choice when all forms of travel is allowed to resume. I was impressed with their presentations demonstrating the readiness of the airport and can confidently say Cape Town is ready to welcome visitors to Mothers City. The City’s Enterprise and Investment Department, together with our official Destination Marketing Organisation, Cape Town Tourism, developed plans to secure a sustainable future for the tourism sector. The aviation economy is a crucial driver of growth in Cape Town’s economic recovery plan as connectivity forms part of my departmental strategy to connect Cape Town with key destinations in Africa and globally. Central to these plans is our world-class airport to bring back our tourists and to take our local goods across the world. There is no doubt that the effect of the pandemic will fundamentally alter the aviation landscape and require new business models to restore confidence in airlines as well as the aviation sector’s financial viability.”

Deon Cloete said, “As part of the easing of restrictions, Cape Town International Airport will play an important role in re-building the travel and tourism economy. It will take a huge effort from everyone, on and off airport to get things going. We recognise the importance of regaining passenger trust by protecting their health and wellness, and that of our staff and all visitors to the airport. We are going to be relying on passengers to comply and to support the new rules.

While limited air travel will be permitted, with restrictions on the number of flights per day the increase in economic activity in sectors that are permitted to resume operations is welcomed. At this stage, no scheduled international commercial flights will be processed, however we will continue to process international repatriation flights. While we do not anticipate large volumes at this stage, an easy start up allows us to test our new ways of working.”

For those wanting to travel for business it is important that you have the necessary permission to travel, before even buying a ticket. Business travellers will need to carry a letter on company letterhead, signed by a manager, as well as a completed employer permit form. Any traveller who fails to produce the required documents will not be permitted to fly.

Travellers should also arrive at airports at least two hours in advance to familiarise themselves with the new safety procedures, for example at some airports access points and terminal entrance points may be reduced. Health and safety measures such as temperature screening may also impact on check-in and boarding time. And of course, a mask must be worn at all times.

To view this statement online please visit: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/news/cape-town-international-airport-open-business-travel

• For broadcasters, please find soundbyte from Minister Maynier attached.

Media Queries:

Francine Higham

Spokesperson for the Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities

(Responsible for the Provincial Treasury and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism)

Tel: 021 483 4327 / Cell: 071 087 5150 / Email: francine.higham@westerncape.gov.za

10 June 2020

As of 1pm on 10 June, the Western Cape has 12 526 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 36 279 confirmed cases and 22 862 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 3620 (1125 recovered)

More data, including updated suburb level data as at June 1, is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 40 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 891. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Co-operation with the Eastern Cape:

The Western Cape has drafted a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding travel for funerals and the transportation of bodies between the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape. The MoU has been submitted to the Eastern Cape for approval and signature.

Last month, I had a meeting with the Premier of the Eastern Cape, members of our cabinets, National Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and Police Minister Bheki Cele to discuss COVID-19 related issues impacting both of our provinces with travel between the two provinces for funerals being one of the focus areas.

At that meeting, we agreed to draw up a series of protocols around funerals and movement between provinces which are now contained in the draft MoU. This includes details on the preparation of bodies for travel and the permits required to travel for a funeral as suggested in the national regulations.

The draft MoU indicates that those traveling between the two provinces may be subjected to a medical examination, or placed into a medical, quarantine and isolation facility should this be deemed necessary.

This document has been drawn up in the spirit of co-operative governance which is enshrined in the Constitution and the document commits both provinces to working together and supporting one another.

Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, Anton Bredell says the Provincial Governments of the Eastern Cape and Western Cape have the common goal of combating and preventing the transmission of COVID-19.

“To successfully combat this virus, all organs of the state must take seriously the principles of co-operative government and inter-governmental relations. We must do what we can to mitigate, combat and prevent any transmission of COVID-19 inter-provincially. This document shows that we are proactive and serious when it comes to looking out for the best interests of the people in both provinces,” Minister Bredell said.

The Western Cape has already drawn up protocols for the management of increased COVID-19 deaths, both in the province and in cases where travel between provinces will be required.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths around the world and it was important to us here in the Western Cape that people be allowed to grieve and bury their loved ones, in line with their religious and cultural practices, while at the same time minimising the risk of the spread of COVID-19.

We have consulted widely in this regard, with nearly 50 organisations representing various religious, traditional and cultural groupings. These include the National House of Traditional Leaders, traditional leaders in the Western Cape, organisations representing indigenous people in the province as well as organisations representing the major faith groups including the Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and Christian faiths.

National regulations around the size of funerals, certain burial practices and who may attend are already in place and are not superseded by the Western Cape protocols.

9 June 2020

As of 1pm on 9 June, the Western Cape has 12 250 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 33 892 confirmed cases and 20791 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 2322 (599 recovered)

More data, including updated suburb level data as at June 1, is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 53 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 851. We send our condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased at this time.

​Alcohol related trauma:

A number of our hospitals have seen a significant spike in trauma cases linked to alcohol use since the sale of alcohol was unbanned on 1 June. This is extremely concerning to us as the healthcare system is already under pressure as a result of COVID-19. Since yesterday there have been numerous rumours that alcohol will be banned again. The Western Cape has not made any announcements to this effect, and we have not received any indication from the national government that this is planned. However, I want to be very clear with the people of the Western Cape: alcohol abuse is taking away hospital beds and care from people who need them during this very serious pandemic.

Your grandmother, brother or sister could become ill with COVID-19 and require a hospital bed.

Every single one of us has a role to play in making sure our healthcare system has the capacity to respond – please drink responsibly and play your part. If this doesn’t happen, we will have no choice but to explore alternative steps to ensure that this happens.

Groote Schuur testing and triage centre:

Another of the Western Cape Government’s testing and triage centres was opened at Groote Schuur today. This site, one of 18 in the first phase, will provide a dedicated space to screen, triage and test patients presenting to Groote Schuur.

These centres help to ease the pressure on our hospital emergency care centres, while also separating testing and triaging from the rest of the hospital patients.

The province has now also begun phase two of this project, which will create 14 new temporary testing and triage sites in the metro, and an additional 20 in our non-metro areas.

8 June 2020

As of 1pm on 8 June, the Western Cape has 12149 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 32048 confirmed cases and 19 101 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 2289 (607 recovered)

More data, including updated suburb level data as at June 1, is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 24 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 798. We send our condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased at this time.

Hospital of Hope:

The first patient to be admitted to the Hospital of Hope today was a 75 year old man from Mitchell’s Plain who was admitted this afternoon. Ten patients, including five men and five women will be admitted today. The 75 year old man was the oldest patient, while the youngest is a 31 year old man from Phillipi. The other patients are from Gugulethu, Crossroads, Portlands, Lenteguer, Sea Ridge Park, Mandaly, Samora and Rocklands. All ten patients are in recovery and meet the intermediate care admission criteria. We wish them well on their path to good health.

Vulnerable groups:

The Western Cape Government is taking extra steps to assist vulnerable people during the COVID-19 pandemic. People over the age of 55, and those with underlying illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, and heart and lung disorders are most at risk of becoming seriously ill or dying.

The Department of Social Development in the province is providing additional support to old aged homes to help fight COVID-19. This support includes testing and screening, and specilaised training in infection prevention. An additional R1.755 million in funding has also been allocated to old aged homes for the fight against COVID-19.  We have also made 15 00 masks available to homes across the province and provided 5000 face shields to over 100 homes.

The Western Cape Government’s Department of Health still continues to deliver chronic medication to stable patients at their homes so that they do not have to leave home to fetch them at healthcare facilities.

The Department has also prioritized healthcare workers, the elderly and chronic patients for the flu vaccine, to ensure that their immune systems are not further compromised by contracting the flu.

Our risk adjusted testing strategy also ensures that while the testing backlog persists, tests should be reserved for those who are experiencing symptoms and who need tests most: healthcare workers, people in hospital, those over the age of 55, and those with co-morbidities.

June 2020

The Hospital of Hope at the CTICC has started admitting its first COVID-19 patients today, exactly one month after work on the site first began.

A total of ten patients will be admitted to the facility today. As the hospital is a new facility, additional beds will be activated in a phased manner until the entire hospital is fully operational.

The temporary hospital is the biggest COVID-19 field hospital in Africa, and was completed in just four weeks.

The Convention Centre generously sponsored the rental of the site allowing us to turn its four halls, and the service yard into a four ward facility, which will be staffed by over 900 people when all phases are operational.

Patients who are in recovery but still require medical care will be treated at the hospital until they are well enough to go home. Healthcare facilities at the hospital include apparatus to administer oxygen, a digital x-ray machine, physiotherapy areas as well as an on-site pharmacy.

The hospital will be a place of healing for many, and has for this reason been named The Hospital of Hope.

The commissioning team consisted of 40 team members focusing on various areas including infrastructure, engineering IT, health technology, and staffing. Over 100 people from the various contracting companies worked on the site.

The hospital was built in four phases including:

• Planning and design
• Construction and commissioning
• Ward fitting and testing
• The go live phase with phased activation of beds.

The hospital was officially opened by President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Western Cape Government on Friday. It has been specially designed and fitted out in order to reduce the risk of infection.

•  Each bed is numbered and linked to our entirely paperless system. All admissions, patient files and administrative work is handled on this system in order to reduce the risk of infection associated with moving paper documents and files around.
• A specialised waste management system which incinerates medical waste, has been installed. A food elevator will be used to move patient meals from the kitchens below the hospital to the hospital floor in order to protect those working in catering.
• The staff showers have been placed on a separate floor to the hospital and near to the staff exit, allowing them to shower and change directly before leaving the facility at the end of shifts in order to further protect them and their families.
• Patients in the hospital will not be allowed to have visitors due to the high risk of infection. However, the facility has made wifi available so that they can video chat with family members and loved ones. We believe this is important as patients need the love and support as they recover.

We have also hung a rainbow themed artwork drawn by children in the province above every single bed in the facility to brighten up the space and as a symbol of hope for every patient.

As we move towards the peak of COVID-19 infections in the province at the end of June or beginning of July, many people in the Western Cape will become ill. This facility will create a space for people to recover, while at the same time allowing others to receive care in our other acute hospital facilities.

Two other temporary hospitals are currently still under construction in the province at Sonstraal in the Cape Winelands and at Brackengate along the R300. The Western Cape cabinet is currently considering the best ways to further expand the number of available beds in the province, including the option of a further 800 beds at CTICC 2.

MEDIA RELEASE BY DAVID MAYNIER

WESTERN CAPE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Date: 07 June 2020

Release: Immediately

Draft electricity regulations need speed and clarity

Last week I submitted comments on behalf of the Western Cape Government in response to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe’s draft amendments to electricity regulations to allow for municipalities to establish their own electricity generation capacity.

While we support the intent of these regulations, the proposed amendments and lead times to the development of new generation capacity don’t go far enough to address the electricity crisis that South Africa may soon again be facing. They also don’t provide the regulatory certainty needed to rapidly and significantly increase generation capacity outside of Eskom by municipalities through the procurement or development of their own power generation.

Some of our comments regarding the draft amendments to the electricity regulations included the following concerns:

• They are not clear as to how provision will be made for municipalities to specifically procure electricity
• They require municipalities to apply directly to the Minister to establish new generation capacity, the process of which may create further unnecessary delays and arguably erodes the independence of the regulator in the process
• They might be in conflict with other legislation and create a regulatory barrier to implementation, which would further slowdown the process

As we move to re-open the economy safely and responsibly, an increase in manufacturing  coupled with higher than usual residential consumption in winter will certainly see an increase in pressure on Eskom’s ability to provide adequate electricity with associated risks of further load-shedding. Furthermore, Eskom’s alleged emissions contraventions may put additional strain on available capacity should non-compliant units be forced to shut down.

Businesses in the Western Cape are already hard-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and the resultant health and economic crisis. Add to this an electricity crisis, and this will certainly be the final blow for many businesses already on the precipice of closure, resulting in further job losses in the Western Cape. While Eskom have assured us there will be minimal load-shedding in June, largely due to slower than expected increase in demand as the restrictions on the economy eases, the electricity crisis is not behind us. Allowing new generation capacity to come online as soon as possible is critical to an energy secure future.

Centralised electricity structures and Eskom’s dominance on electricity generation and supply in South Africa limits what a provincial or local government can do when confronted with load-shedding. While we have worked hard to identify innovative ways to lessen its impact, provide certainty for business, and ultimately ensure continued economic growth in this province, urgent action is needed by national government to fast-track new generation capacity procurement both at national and municipal levels to avoid a return to the severe and frequent loads-shedding we experienced over the summer of 2019.

We strongly support a policy and regulatory environment in which municipalities that have a sound financial standing, and the capacity and technical expertise to acquire new generation capacity, are supported and enabled to do so.

This will also allow for greater diversity, increased energy resilience and increased investment in energy infrastructure (specifically renewable energy) that will contribute towards a more sustainable and reliable energy supply in the country. In many cases, the municipalities that are in a position to acquire new generation capacity are also those that have made strong international commitments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and associated carbon footprint. By allowing municipalities to invest in renewable and other alternative energy sources, they can contribute to South Africa’s commitments in terms of the Paris Agreement.

Over the past decade the Western Cape Government, working closely with the City of Cape Town and other municipalities in the province, have supported the development of the green economy. We have been working to establish an enabling environment for investment in renewable and sustainable energy through partnerships with agencies such as GreenCape and Wesgro.

I am committed to continued engagements with all stakeholder to drive energy resilience so that those businesses who are able to open safely and responsibly, remain open for business and together we can continue to grow the economy and create jobs in the Western Cape.

Notes for media: 

• To view the statement online visit: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/news/draft-electricity-regulations-need-speed-and-clarity

Media Queries:

Francine Higham

Spokesperson for the Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities

(Responsible for the Provincial Treasury and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism)

Cell: 071 087 5150 / Email: francine.higham@westerncape.gov.za

6 June 2020

As of 1pm on 6 June, the Western Cape has 11071 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of  29 136 confirmed cases and 17366 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 1892 (562 recovered)

More data, including updated suburb level data as at June 1, is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 15 COVID-19 deaths-bringing the total number of deaths from the virus in the province to 699. We send our condolences to their families and friends.

Healthcare workers:

The Western Cape Government is working hard to prepare additional beds in the hospital system to ensure that there will be enough space in hospitals at the peak of the virus, which is anticipated at the end of June or beginning of July. These additional beds will also require additional staff in order to care for our residents.

The Western Cape Department of Health is currently conducting a recruitment drive for healthcare professionals such as doctors and nurses, to take up temporary posts during the COVID-19 period. Qualified healthcare professionals who are interested in taking up temporary employment during the peak, can find more information on the work, and the application processes here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-recruitment-drive

Not everyone will be deployed to the frontline. Depending on your age and risk profile, you may be deployed to low risk areas, to call centres or to support with telephonic consultations.

I encourage all of those who are interested in these temporary, paid posts, to apply and help us to save lives.

I would also like to thank all of those healthcare workers, including nurses, doctors, specialists, technicians, porters, cleaners and all of the other support and clerical staff currently working in the province for the work that they are doing. You are all heroes.

Recoveries:

The Western Cape has now recorded 17366 recoveries- representing 60 percent of all cases to date. The province currently has 11 071 active cases. In some of our hotspot areas, the recovery rates have been even higher than the provincial average. In Tygerberg, which has the highest number of cases in the province, 68 percent of all cases have recovered so far. In Khayelitsha, 69% of all cases so far have resulted in recoveries and in Witzenberg where our hotspot plan was first introduced, the recovery rate currently stands at almost 80%.

Advice for home-based recovery:

Most people will recover from COVID-19 and experience only mild symptoms. The province’s new risk adjusted testing strategy means that healthy people under 55 will not be able to be tested in the metro region.

The following groups of people who are experiencing symptoms will be tested: healthcare workers, those over the age of 55, those in hospitals or in old aged homes, those under the age of 55 with comorbidities including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, TB, chronic lung disease and HIV with poor ARV adherence.

This strategy is in place because of the national backlog in testing and will prioritise those groups of people who are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill or dying. This system will ensure that those who need testing most are prioritised over young, healthy individuals.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as a fever, a sore throat, or a cough, and are young, fit and healthy, you should act as if you have COVID-19.

If you are able to self-isolate at home, you will need to move to a separate room or area of the house, where you have no contact with anyone else.

If you live with other people, one healthy person can act as your caregiver. This person should leave food for you at the door of your room, and regularly clean surfaces.

Use a dedicated set of items such as cups, plates, cutlery and towels for yourself. Dispose of any waste carefully by placing it in two bags and keeping it separately for five days before putting out for collection. Ensure you wash your clothing, towels and cloth masks at a high heat.

You should not leave your home, and should rest, drink lots of fluids, eat healthily and use paracetamol for fever or pain.

If you are unable to do this at home, you will be referred to an isolation or quarantine facility where you will be able to safely complete the isolation period.

If at any stage of your illness, you experience shortness of breath or pain or a sensation of pressure in your chest, you should contact your doctor or healthcare provider immediately.

The National Institute of Communicable Diseases considers a person recovered 14 days after first symptoms are experienced, or 14 days from discharge from hospital for those who have been discharged. It is essential that if you are recovering at home, this 14 day period is observed.

4 June 2020

As of 1pm on 4 June, the Western Cape has 11469 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of  26 386 confirmed cases and 14 917 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 1697 (512 recovered)

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 42 COVID-19 deaths-bringing the total number of deaths from the virus in the province to 643. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Health Systems Preparedness:

Last week, we released the data from our most recent scenario planning exercise and made the decision that we would adjust our provisioning for the peak of COVID-19 in the province, in accordance with the MASHA model, which is the national epidemiological model.

Under this scenario planning exercise- our initial planning projections and the 1428 beds we were able to prepare- will fall short. For this reason, cabinet has now given the go ahead to explore the creation of an additional 800 beds, including the staff to attend to those beds, at CTICC 2. This will give us a cumulative total of 2227 additional intermediate beds in the system.

The CTICC 1 hospital will officially be opened tomorrow. Over the past week, staff have been on site for orientation and the facility will accept its first patients on Monday. The Khayelithsa Thusong hospital, built by Medicins Sans Frontiers, is already in operation.

Our other planned facilities at Sonstraal in the Cape Winelands, and the 330 bed facility at Brackengate, are also currently under construction.

Critical care:

The MASHA model indicates that there will be a shortage of critical care beds in South Africa and in the Western Cape.

Even more important than the bed itself, or the availability of ventilators, is the availability of trained ICU or high care staff. In the public sector, we have 135 beds available to us, but this is constrained by the availability of staff, allowing us to only use about 100 of these.

There are plans in place to bring online an additional 100 beds in the public sector, and plans are now underway to contract additional beds for public sector patients in the private sector.

The Western Cape Government is currently in the process of negotiating to contract 300 private ICU or high care beds after a tariff agreement was reached yesterday between the private sector and the National Minister of Health.

Critical care beds will however remain under pressure in the Western Cape which is why the province is taking steps to protect the most high risk groups, and why it is vitally important that everyone play their part in slowing the spread of this virus, especially to protect those most vulnerable, including the elderly and those with co-morbidities.

High flow nasal oxygen:

Teams at Tygerberg Hospital have recorded some encouraging results in the use of high flow oxygen to treat patients in place of the use of ventilators.

Of the six earliest COVID-19 patients placed on ventilators at the hospital, all six did not make it. However, high flow oxygen was administered to seven more patients, and of these, six were able to recover without the use of a ventilator.

Since then, 114 patients have presented to Tygerberg for critical care, of which 70% met the criteria for the use of high flow nasal oxygen. Of these, a further 70% have recovered.

This therapy will become a critical part of our healthcare response, creating an alternative to care on a ventilator. We also believe that this therapy can be administered in general wards, under the correct supervision, which will minimize the need for critical care beds.

The therapy requires specific infrastructure and equipment and we have placed orders in order to start offering the treatment elsewhere, starting with the Groote Schuur hospital.

This innovative therapy could become a game changer in how we treat critical patients going forward and is an important part of our preparedness response.

Quarantine and Isolation:

While the Department of Health has been preparing its systems, the Department of Public Works and Transport in the province has been working to increase the number of beds available for quarantine and isolation.

The province currently has 3848 beds available in both private and government owned facilities, with a further 9682 ready for activation (8933 in private sector and 749 in public). An additional 788 beds are available for those who have the capacity to pay for quarantine and isolation facilities.

We are currently looking at ways to ramp up the available facilities- using both provincially or municipally owned facilities as well as turn-key solutions such as hotels and the hospitality industry.

Red Dot Taxi Service:

The Red Dot service, a partnership with the taxi industry, has since its inception on 18 May, transported approximately 6000 healthcare workers in a safe, and sanitized manner. The taxis are sanitized after each trip, only operate at 50% capacity and users of the service must wear masks. This is one of the ways we are working to protect our healthcare workers and ensure they are not unnecessarily exposed to the virus while commuting.

From this week, the service has also started to provide transport for patients to quarantine and isolation facilities.

Alcohol and the healthcare system:

This week, the national government lifted the ban on the sale of alcohol. The Western Cape’s emergency and trauma units have already noted an increase in the number of alcohol related injuries and incidents.

With our hospital system experiencing added volumes as a result of COVID-19, alcohol related injuries- whether they be as a result of violence or traffic accidents- compete for care in our hospitals.

My appeal to everyone is to drink alcohol responsibly to ensure that those who urgently need medical attention and care as a result of illness are able to receive it and to become well again.