Gauteng may be short of 7000 critical care bedsat peak Covid-19 period
23 June 2020
Gauteng is potentially facing a shortage of 6878 critical care beds and 1788 ICU nurses when Covid-19 cases hit an expected peak in late August/early September.
This alarming information was revealed today by Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku in an oral reply to my questions at a virtual sitting today of the Gauteng Legislature.
According to Masuku, these figures are based on modelling predictions that about 8000 critical care beds, which include high care and ICU beds, will be needed at the peak period. There are enough such beds for June, but in July it is anticipated that 2609 beds will be needed and only 1122 are currently available - a gap of 1487.
The situation with general beds is even worse. Whereas 25000 general beds will be needed at peak period only 6803 general beds are currently available, a gap of 18000 beds.