Drop in violent trauma in hospital Emergency Centres | Western Cape Government

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Drop in violent trauma in hospital Emergency Centres

3 January 2021

Western Cape Government Health would like to thank the public of the Western Cape for their responsible behaviour on New Year’s Eve.

Although Covid-cases continue to rise, the drop in trauma cases (related specifically to violence and car crashes) ensured that our health facilities could better manage the load of Covid-19 patients.

Many of our facilities’ emergency centres reported single digit trauma cases on New Years’ Eve.

They are:

  • KDH 4 people
  • Victoria (0 patients)
  • Tygerberg 12 patients
  • GSH 6 patients
  • Karl Bremer (0 patients)
  • NSH 4 patients

What is the current status of Covid-19 infections in Western Cape? (Sunday 3 Jan @ 7 a.m.). Please note that numbers are regularly updated.

  • Number of cases: 215544
  • Number of active infections: 39 265
  • Number of deaths: 7183

The overall numbers are still rising, although there is a tapering off of positive test results, hospital admissions and reported deaths are still rising. We extend heartfelt condolences to loved ones and families. Behind each number is a sad story of loss for families and loved ones.

What are the specific pressure points?

Sunday, 3 January, there are a total of 1876 patients in public hospitals, and 1314 in private facilities. All our facilities remain under great pressure. Groote Schuur hospital currently has 12 wards for Covid-19 patients and Tygerberg 8 dedicated wards. All district and regional hospitals are also under pressure to cope with very high numbers of Covid patients. The admissions continue to rise, with the exception of Garden Route, which has been showing a decline in cases.

How is the health system and healthcare workers coping?

All acute hospitals and district hospitals are currently under severe pressure. Healthcare workers are very tired and trying their best to cope with the demand and difficult circumstances of the second wave.  “We would like to thank all clinicians, nurses, all hospital staff, emergency staff, forensic pathology staff, as well as admin support staff (many of whom who worked through all the public holidays) for their Herculean effort during the last week. Each contribution helps us to render the critical life-saving service to our patients,” says Dr Keith Cloete, Head of Health.

How is the recruitment of healthcare workers going?

We have always understood that the availability of staff is a limiting factor in our response to Covid-19. We need to support our own staff who are infected by Covid-19 (total today is at 1019 active cases, approximately 50% nursing staff and doctors. In addition to agency staff, we have issued a renewed call for direct recruitment we have had expression of interest from a total of 527 people as at 29 December. Not all commencement figures are centrally available yet, but we can confirm a total of 79 starting tomorrow, as well as a new intake of Community Service doctors. There will be staggered addition of staff during the week. There is a system in place to coordinate appointments per region to ensure that staff are placed where required.

How is the health system and healthcare workers coping?

All acute hospitals and district hospitals are currently under severe pressure. Healthcare workers are very tired and trying their best to cope with the demand and difficult circumstances of the second wave.  “We would like to thank all clinicians, nurses, all hospital staff, emergency staff, forensic pathology staff, as well as admin support staff (many of whom who worked through all the public holidays) for their Herculean effort during the last week. Each contribution helps us to render the critical life-saving service to our patients,” says Dr Keith Cloete, Head of Health.

What can the public do?

Continue the responsible behavior. The next two weeks are crucial. Please ensure that you are cautious about observing social distancing, good ventilation and hygiene. Let’s protect the health system as far as possible.

Media Enquiries: 

Marika Champion
WCGH Communications