Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

23 May 2020

As of 1pm on 23 May, the Western Cape has 6146 active cases of Covid-19, with a total of 12947 confirmed cases and 6525 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

Unallocated: 673 (56 recovered)

Additional data can be accessed on the dashboard at www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 19 COVID-19 deaths-bringing the total number of deaths from the virus in the province to 276. We extend our condolences to the family and friends of the deceased at this time.

Hospitalisation:

The Western Cape is starting to see increased patients receiving care in our hospitals as we move towards the peak of the infection in the province. At the close of business yesterday, 557 patients were being treated in hospital, with 154 of these in ICU or high care. The Western Cape hospital system has the capacity to deal with the demand for hospital beds at this time.

In our preparedness planning, the province has taken into account all of the available beds in both the public and the private sector.

Our existing public sector capacity can provide 2162 acute beds, which includes 658 additional beds created through expansion.

We are also bringing online 1428 additional intermediate care beds in our temporary or “field hospitals” in the Western Cape. Construction on the hospital facility at the CTICC, which will provide 850 of these beds, is well underway and on track for completion in the first week of June. Another 330 beds will be made available at a temporary hospital at Brakengate, 150 at the Cape Winelands Sonstraal Hospital, 68 at the Khayelitsha Thusong Centre, and 30 additional beds at Tygerberg hospital.

In the critical care space (ICU and high care), we will reach a total of 850 ICU beds in the province, the majority of which already exist. We currently have 150 existing beds at public healthcare facilities. An additional 100 beds are being added. We have also arranged to purchase 300 ICU beds from the private sector for public sector patients. The private sector also has an additional 300 ICU beds available in addition to these.

The vast majority of people who contract COVID-19, will not require hospitalisation which is evidenced by the fact that more than half of our total caseload have now recovered. However, in order to ensure that we are able to offer the appropriate level of care to those who need it, we need every resident to play their part to reduce infections, and more specifically to protect the vulnerable who are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill. As we have indicated before, even in the best case scenario, and with both private and public beds, we will fall short of ICU beds.

This requires us to take stock of our behaviour and look at ways in which we can make changes to help flatten the curve and reduce the risk of transmission. This includes staying home as much as possible, especially if you are over 60 or have an underlying illness. When leaving home, hygiene measures such as washing or sanitizing your hands, not touching your face and keeping your distance from other people are highly important. Wearing a clean, cloth mask should not replace these behaviours, but they should all be used together, for maximum effectiveness.

Eid:

Tomorrow, our Muslim residents will mark the holy day of Eid. This is a time that is traditionally marked by attending Mosque and visiting with family and loved ones. This year’s Eid celebrations will be markedly different as a result of lockdown in South Africa but I hope that despite not being able to share the day with all of your loved ones in person, that the day does not lose its spirit of kindness, sharing and connectedness. May all of our Muslim residents have a blessed Eid celebration.