Covid-19 pressure mounts on hospitals in Gauteng, North West and Northern Cape
The Department of Health has warned of a surging demand for hospital beds in Gauteng, North West and Northern Cape due to the third wave of Covid-19 infections.
Acting Minister of Health Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane gave an update on Friday on the latest developments around the Covid-19 pandemic
She announced that South Africans over the age of 50 will be able to get their Covid-19 jabs from 15 July.
Director-general in the Department of Health Anban Pillay described Gauteng as a red zone when it comes to the demand for hospital beds.
The third wave of infections is being largely driven by Gauteng, with the province accounting for around 60% of new infections countrywide.
"The forecast put pressure on hospital beds across the country and we know that in Gauteng, it is in a red zone and where the pressure of beds is significant,” said Pillay.
"In addition to Gauteng, North West and Northern Cape are also having a huge pressure on the beds at this stage while the other provinces do not have similar levels of pressure but only a matter of time as cases increase."
The department says it has enough personal protective equipment to dispatch to provinces to fight the third wave of Covid-19.
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