GEORGE NEWS - Three staff members of the George Hospital tested positive for the coronavirus and three Covid-19 patients are also receiving treatment at the hospital.
This comes after two patients being treated at the hospital tested positive this week after being asymptomatic upon admission. One of these two was transferred to the Mediclinic George where he is currently in ICU.
Since the George Herald's last report yesterday, another two patients tested positive.
According to the district spokesperson for the Western Cape Health Department, Nadia Ferreira, in addition to the three positive staff members, a number of personnel are currently in quarantine awaiting their results. "Close contacts of patients and staff are being contacted for testing and follow-up. George Hospital takes the safety of our patients and staff seriously. All staff are equipped with the correct personal protective equipment for the area they work in."
She said George Hospital has 87 beds available for Covid-19 patients and an additional 16 ICU beds.
"Everyone entering the facility is screened for Covid-19. In the event of a positive case being confirmed at any health facility, the facility or the specific contaminated area within the facility may be temporarily closed to allow for the containment of the spread of the virus and decontamination. As per protocol, the facility or affected area will be decontaminated, deep cleaned in line with prescribed infection prevention standards and reopened with staff who do not pose a risk."
She made a plea to the public to help in containing the spread of the coronavirus. "We need the help of every single person. We simply can’t do this alone. You need to keep yourself safe. When you do this, you interrupt the chain of transmission and slow the spread of the virus."
She asked people to stay home as much as possible, always wear a clean cloth mask in public and follow good hygiene rules as a mask alone is not enough. People should avoid big gatherings and keep a safe distance from others. "If you are sick, stay home and call the hotline. If you are having difficulty breathing, seek urgent healthcare."
National hotline: 0800 029 999
Provincial hotline: 021 928 4102
WhatsApp "Hi" to 0600 123 456
Email: doh.dismed@westerncape.gov.za
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