Life may be returning to post-lockdown normality but it’s far from normal in hospitals
Here are the latest numbers from Groote Schuur
Slowly but surely the lockdown measures are being relaxed. It was inevitable; living under stay-at-home conditions was unsustainable. But make no mistake, it’s far from normal in our hospitals.
A month ago we reported that Groote Schuur was on the brink, as Covid-19 cases escalated. At that point the hospital was running seven wards with over 120 confirmed or possible Covid-19 patients, and four intensive care units with 19 Covid-19 patients (besides its usual wards for other patients).
According to hospital spokesperson Alaric Jacobs this has now increased to 25 Covid-19 wards (including patients under investigation). “In total we have seen about 2,000 patients since the start of the pandemic,” Jacobs told us by email. There are also currently 37 Covid-19 patients in intensive care.
The Covid-19 wards are at 80% capacity, while the non-Covid wards are at 60% capacity according to Jacobs. The hospital currently has sufficient oxygen to manage the load. A doctor we spoke to described the complex calculations involved ensuring that this continues to be the case.