Health COVID-19 Platform Status Update

Following the release of the outcomes of recovery trial in the UK, the Ministerial Advisory Committee has considered the results and made recommendation for the use of dexamethasone for patients on ventilators and oxygen. Although the study’s findings must still formally be published, the Western Cape has taken the decision to already develop clinical protocols for the utilisation of this drug to assist those with severe COVID-19 conditions, while taking count of the current availability and demand of the available injectable.

According to the study this has a positive impact on the outcomes of seriously ill and ventilated patients

Also as on 18 June, the Western Cape reported no outstanding test results from the NHLS. There is currently no backlog as at 18 June. All samples received during last 48 hours are being processed. We thank the NHLS for their continued support as we need rapid release of results in order for immediate contact tracing to commence.

A key development as a result of the improved turnaround time for tests, will now be for our tracing teams who will follow up vulnerable patients with comorbidities, who are on our database. Teams will check up on them, and if required will be assisted further with either testing or accommodating them in a temporary isolation and quarantine facility.

1. Hospitalisation

There are currently 1 470 patients admitted in both the public and private sector facilities of which 248 patients admitted to ICU or High Care. To date, we have had 46 951 confirmed cases and 32 953 recoveries – which means 70% of the total confirmed cases have now recovered in the province.
 

2. Deaths

From the data available on 18 June we have also had 1 276 deaths. The subdistricts with the highest number of deaths were:

3. Quarantine and Isolation

We have admitted 2 568 people since the start of the pandemic while currently there were 647 people in isolation and quarantine facilities collectively across the province.

4.  Intermediate Care facilities (Field Hospitals)

It must be noted that some people deteriorate suddenly and unexpectedly and their condition can, at times, be unpredictable upon admission.

• Since opening the Hospital of Hope have had 106 admissions in total with 45 patients currently in hospital, 57 discharges and 4 deaths
• Khayelitsha Thusong has admitted 84 patients in total with 40 patients currently in hospital, 36 discharges and 8 deaths
• Construction at the Brackengate Intermediate Care facility has commenced and when completed will bring online an additional 330 beds when it receives its first patient on 7 July.

5. Testing & Treatment Centres

28 centres are planned for the Metro of which 14 have been completed with the remaining (14) to be operationalised by 1 July while 31 centres are planned for the Rurals of which 5 have been completed with the remaining (26) to be operationalised by end of July. These centres are used for testing, but also to facilitate a “separate” admission pathway into hospitals – keeping sick people away from Emergency Centres to ensure better infection control.

6.  Healthcare Worker status in the Public Sector

Since the start of the pandemic we have had 2 293 confirmed cases; 1 591 recoveries; 19 deaths; and 683 are currently active. The recoveries constitute 69,3% of the total cases.

(Health care worker deaths are pending further data verification. Although the Department has very accurate information of public sector, the private sector information is sometimes slow to reach us.)

Combined breakdown of staff categories in the Public Health sector:

7.  Protecting our health force

While being extremely proud of our health workers, The Western Cape Government Health remains deeply concerned about their health and safety at work. The Department also understands and recognizes the anxiety of all health care workers as we face the unprecedented threat of this global pandemic. During this difficult time, it remains crucial that we take care of our health staff who need to take care of the most vulnerable sick people in our health system. While it may not be possible to guarantee a zero risk to frontline staff, it is important that all efforts are made to ensure safety.

In doing this the Department has ensured that sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) is available to staff, which is issued to staff based on their risk profile and the area in which they work.

Our decisions are based on the principles of protecting the most vulnerable staff and isolating risk based on level of direct exposure. We recognize that despite many measures in place, staff may still feel fearful and anxious at times. Thus we encourage people to voice and share their anxiety with us; we will remain open to discussions. We also strongly urge and encourage staff to remain vigilant in observing the golden rules of keeping safe – both in high risk and low risk environments. Wear a mask when going into public or at work, avoid areas of congregation at the workplace such as tea rooms, keep a minimum distance of 1,5 meters from others and wash hands regularly. Together we can protect one another and serve our community with distinction.

8.  Service Level Agreement with private Sector

Negotiations with the various private entities are at an advanced staged. The Western Cape will incur this cost as agreed with National, so as to not delay the expansion of critical and ICU care to these in most need of care. Referrals to the private sector may be activated soon with very good progress made on establishing guideline and administrative details.

9.  High flow oxygen

While we have identified high flow nasal oxygen as an alternative to ventilators, we need to create the required infrastructure to be able to deliver the oxygen at a higher flow in our existing facilities. We have been working on getting the required thicker piping in place at hospitals to get higher pressure flow of the oxygen to our patients. We have been able to get this in place at Tygerberg and Groote Schuur Hospital.

Our team has done the required demand projection and we will now be engaging oxygen suppliers on the required demand to be met. We need to be cognisant that the demand will not just be a provincial, but a National demand and requirement which will soon be realised.

We urge all citizens to remain careful in observing the essential 5 Golden Rules of hygiene and safety. The protection of our most vulnerable loved ones remains in our collective hands.

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