The Department of Infrastructure Development and Property Management is aiming to have 2 000 beds for health facilities by March 27, with the current tally sitting on 600.
— GautengGov (@GautengProvince) March 25, 2020
Tasneem Motara, MEC for Infrastructure Development and Property Management said that officials are based at health facilities and they are making sure these facilities are fully operational and maintained at hospitals and clinics, identified by the Department of Health.
Also read: Covid-19: The 21-day lockdown in SA and you
“This will be fully operational during the 21-day lockdown as they have been deemed essential at this time,” said Motara.
According to Motara, the department will assist the Department of Health with additional beds at those facilities where they are doing renovations, such as in Lenasia South.
“We are also entering into agreements with other entities, where they have made space available in their buildings, such as in Carletonville, where we will prepare additional resources of beds,” said Motara.
She added together with the Department of Health, they will finalise support structures to assist the cities of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tswane.
“We have also scaled up on our equipment, to deal with additional bed demands as due to this there will be a higher demand for food.
“We have finalised more for space to accommodate that as well,” said Motara.
“Together with the Department of Education and Social Development, we have also identified school facilities to use for the vulnerable during this time.
“We don’t foresee we will have to do additional work at these boarding schools, but in an emergency, we will be able to provide for that,” said Motara.
The Gauteng Gov has established a war room that is doing routine monitoring, evaluation and surveillance using multiple approaches, systems and technologies #GautengCOVID19 #COVID19SA #CoronavirusInSA pic.twitter.com/9Y2NE1PYaK
— GautengGov (@GautengProvince) March 25, 2020
The Department of Infrastructure has also finalised with the Department of Education and Social Development to repurpose additional schools for emergencies.
“By March 27, we will finalise 2 000 additional beds for the Health Department for quarantine or isolation, depending on what the need will be,” said Motara.
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