‘Wear masks’ urge paramedics as Covid-19 spike causes strain

PARAMEDICS have urged the community to wear masks as health facilities grapple with the recent spike in Covid-19 cases.

Director of Advance Life Support paramedics,  Garrith Jaimeson said both private and government facilities are diverting patients. 

“Multiple patients have fallen ill and with multiple ambulances being used to transport these sick people, the biggest problem paramedics are finding is that there is minimal space at these facilities. At times paramedics are going out to asses these patients and then liaising with the patient’s doctor as some facilities are on complete divert,” he said.

Health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu, said walk-in patients are still being accepted at Addington Hospital but those who are picked up by ambulances are diverted to Prince Mshiyeni Memorial and King Edward VIII hospitals.

Also read: Durban North SAPS station temporarily closed due to Covid-19 case

“The number of admissions is increasing daily, but we are confident that we will be able to cope. We are ready, thanks to the staff that we recruited and extra bed capacity that has been prepared throughout the province,” said Simelane-Zulu

The MEC confirmed that KwaZulu-Natal is facing a resurgence, or ‘second wave’ of Covid-19 infections, which she attributed to people becoming “complacent.”

Jamieson urged the community to wear a mask at all times.

“I would personally avoid social gatherings. The second wave is here and is spreading rapidly. By attending gatherings you are adding to the problem,” he said.

While paramedics continue to respond to patients with Covid-19 symptoms, the community can also opt to use a self testing facility, said Jamieson.

Also read: eThekwini Municipality issues safety guide for Covid-19 this festive season

“There are multiple drive through facilities which people may go and test themselves and I am aware of doctors authorizing it online for their patients,” he said.

As of Sunday, KZN has reported 1613 new Covid – 19 cases, bringing the total number of infections to 139 366. 

Covid-19 infections among healthcare workers has also climbed with at least 38 staff members at Addington Hospital and 23 at RK Khan Hospital testing positive.

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting

Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za). At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.

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