DUE to the resurgence of Covid-19 cases and hospital admissions, ambulance services have joined the plea for people to stay at home during the festive season.
The South African Private Ambulance and Emergency Services Association (SAPAESA) released a statement saying that there’s a shortage of beds in private and public hospitals.
“PT Alarm Ambulance Services have been inundated with calls for medical assistance from the public, both medical aid and non-medical aid patients,” read the statement.
“The reality is that hospital beds are in severe demand as both private and public hospitals are running at full capacity.”
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SAPAESA urged people to stay away from public gatherings and adhere to all Covid-19 health protocols.
“Due to the overwhelming number of cases, response to patients can be delayed as PT paramedics observe all Covid protocols,” said the statement.
“PT ambulances are properly sanitized after every patient transfer and treatment and PT paramedics are also decontaminated and sanitized.”
This comes after Garrith Jaimeson, Director of Advance Life Support paramedics sent out an appeal earlier this month for the public to wear masks.
At this stage, he claimed private and public medical facilities were already overwhelmed and had begun diverting patients.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
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