Tshwane events centre identified as Covid-19 hospital site

The Tshwane events centre was identified as a Covid-19 field hospital site to help deal with an expected surge in cases, health minister Zweli Mkhize revealed on Friday.

Mkhize said directives had been given for it to be turned into a field hospital within the next two to three weeks.

It is expected to house 1 000 beds.

“These hospitals are being prioritised,” he said.

Doctor George Mukhari academic hospital, north of Pretoria, was also expected to be home to an additional 100 “surge beds” to assist at triage level, over and above the 300 “normal” beds at the hospital.

Several other field hospitals were expected to be completed soon at various sites in the country as the health department worked hard to ensure patients can remain hospitalised while they await their Covid-19 test results.

Overall, around 2 000 additional beds were planned for once cases and admissions surged during the peak period, which was expected to last until September.

Mkhize made the announcement as he and Gauteng health MEC Bandile Masuku visited the Tshwane District and Steve Biko academic hospitals for inspect their state of readiness.

CEO Mathabo Mathebula said the hospital had already admitted more than 600 patients.

“All our patients are doing well,” she said, acknowledging that around 33 had succumbed to the virus.

Mathebula said patients should be admitted to “fever tents” and not turned away to curb the possible spread of the virus.

“Before we know whether you positive or not, we will keep you in the tents until your results are in,” she said.

MEC Masuku said all their preparations to deal with Covid-19 positive patients had been underway since April.

“We have been treating patients there successfully,” he said, adding their objective was to ensure no patients were turned away when they arrived at facilities, even while they awaited beds or were in their triage tents.

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