CEO at Netcare Dr Richard Friedland said the surge in Covid-19 cases and high hospital admissions in Gauteng is directly linked with the emergence of the Delta variant in the country.
Friedland noted that initial modelling suggested that Gauteng’s third wave would have lower case numbers than the second.
“This appeared to be the case until the first week of June when the daily number of positive cases started to break the trend, rising exponentially on June 15,” said Friedland.
“Since then, it has been increasing rapidly – far exceeding the peak of both the first and second waves in Gauteng.”
“Data released on June 29 confirmed that the Delta variant was responsible for 53% of cases sampled in early June and 75% toward the end of June.”
Friedland said the Delta variant is about 50 to 60% more transmissible than the Beta variant, which was responsible for the second wave in South Africa. This explains the mounting surge in cases and admissions to hospitals.
“Netcare is currently caring for over 2 600 Covid-19 cases across its hospitals in Gauteng. This is 45% higher than the 1 792 patients we had at the peak of the second wave, and almost 100% higher than the 1 377 patients admitted during the peak of the first wave in Gauteng.”
He said that this also explains why the province has seen whole families, including school-going children and younger people, testing positive and why hospitals have seen the admission of patients in their 20s and 30s affected by Covid-19.
Delta strain is dominant, so take precautions
The Delta strain is now dominant in the country, with Netcare welcoming the new regulations implemented by the President, saying that these measures should help to curtail the spread of the virus at the coast and flatten the curve elsewhere.
Friedland encourages community members to follow the strictest non-pharmaceutical preventative measures. He also encourages locals to register to receive the vaccine.
Friedland reported that of the over 33 000 Netcare frontline workers vaccinated, only 206 or 0.6% have experienced a breakthrough infection and of them, only seven were hospitalised.
Netcare strengthens capacity in other provinces
He said that Netcare has strengthened capacity and resources ahead of a potential surge in Covid-19 cases in other provinces.
Netcare has begun scaling down non-urgent surgeries at coastal hospitals in order to create capacity for the increased number of Covid-19 patients.
Plans are also in place to convert certain Medicross day theatres and other facilities to accommodate Covid-19 patients if necessary.
Netcare has also secured an additional 1 000 oxygen concentrators and another 100 ventilators, including 40 transport ventilators, to bolster their existing resources.
Visitations have been suspended at Netcare hospitals in Gauteng in order to reduce the potential exposure of Covid-19 to healthcare workers. Visitation will only be permitted for compassionate reasons or in exceptional circumstances.
Next-of-kin of patients at Netcare hospitals are encouraged to call the Netcare Family Connect Line on
080 011 1266 and a trained call centre agent will facilitate for a hospital staff member to provide families with daily feedback concerning their loved one.
