Gauteng Health gears up for first level 2 ‘payday weekend’
The Department of Health in Gauteng is gearing up for the first month-end weekend since the unbanning of the sale of alcohol.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced two weeks ago that alcohol and tobacco products would be sold under level 2 of the lockdown.
Government earlier banned the sale of booze to ensure there is enough space in the trauma units at hospitals amid the battle against Covid-19.
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CEO of Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital Gladys Bogoshi says they have seen a sharp increase in trauma patients since booze went back on sale.
"Now the numbers are going up again, the past weekend was not as bad as the first time but we know that next week (coming weekend) especially because it's month-end, we are going to see a lot of increase in trauma cases.
"The trauma cases clout casualty, the clout theatres and they clout the wards and rob the patients the resources that we need to look after Covid-19.”
Acting Gauteng Health MEC Jacob Mamabolo said his department is already preparing for an increase in patients needing trauma care.
He warned that the unbanning of alcohol and the predicted increase in Covid-19 cases at the end of November is expected to add more pressure on the health system.
"That is why I would like to make an appeal to the people of our province, that is must avoid reckless behaviour; which bothers on undermining compliance with protocols that regulate Covid-19.”
Listen to Mamabolo below: