General visitation suspended at Life Wilgeheuwel

Visitation to all general wards has been suspended at Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital in response to the third wave that is currently crippling the country. This suspension extends to high care and intensive care units. The hospital reported a notable increase in the number of Covid-19 admissions during the current wave.

Adri Botes, Life Wilgeheuwel hospital manager said, “Due to the severity of the surge, and the safety of our patients and healthcare workers, which remains a high priority, we have suspended visitation until further notice. Suspension of visitation to the unit enables our healthcare practitioners to focus on the treatment and care of the patients entrusted in our care.”

Botes said visitation in the maternity wards would continue under strict requirements. Mothers-to-be will be closely monitored and the partner would be permitted in the hospital during and after the delivery. “The partner/ father must have a negative Covid-19 test result prior to delivery admission. Only the father/ partner will be allowed visitation for one hour per day during the postnatal period until discharge, and will be subjected to daily screening criteria.”

Community members are urged to help curb the spread of the virus by complying with mandated mask-wearing, social distancing and exercising proper hand hygiene. “Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital would like to reassure the local community that we remain committed to providing quality care during these unprecedented times,” Botes concluded.