Premier Alan Winde has noted a spike in trauma admissions at five key hospitals in the Western Cape, just one week after alcohol sales were reopened.
While he did not name the hospitals, Winde expressed his disappointment at the news and reminded the public that our hospitals do not need further strain.
“I once again appeal to residents to drink responsibly. Excessive, and irresponsible alcohol use contribute significantly to trauma such as car accidents, injuries and inter-personal violence. As a province, we are working to put in place smart, targeted interventions but we require citizens to play their part too,” urged Winde.
On a positive note, the Premier also reported that the province registered declines in all key COVID-19 indicators including the test positivity rate, number of active infections, infections among healthcare workers and oxygen consumption for the fourth consecutive week.
Two of the most important indicators – hospitalisations and deaths – have also shown significant declines, registering 29% and 37% drops week on week respectively.
“The number of people hospitalised has dropped below the 2000 mark but we must not lose sight of the fact that nearly 2000 people are still hospitalised with this virus, with 383 of them in ICU or high care,” said Winde in his daily provincial update.
Key indicators show:
– In the metro, cases have decreased by a further 36% over the past 7 days
– In rural districts, cases have declined by 39% over the past 7 days
– The reproduction or “R number” remains below 1 and our test positivity rate has also declined
– Data from our waste water treatment testing shows a decrease across most plants, with no SARS CoV-2 detected at nine treatment plants
– The Hospital of Hope at Brackengate currently has 60 patients admitted, while the Mitchells Plain Hospital of Hope has 52. Freesia and Ward 99 in Mitchells Plain have 21 patients, while Sonstraal currently has 29 admitted.
– Combined oxygen consumption for hospitals in the public and private sector is currently at 58 tons per day. The provincial government will continue to monitor usage over the coming weeks, but the situation has completely stabilised since we peak at usage above 80 tons per day.
– Healthcare worker infections have also stabilised, with 137 currently infected, compared with over 1000 at the peak of the second wave.
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