Image via: @alanwinde / Twitter
Brackengate: A look inside the Western Cape’s new field hospital [photos]
The Brackengate Field Hospital in the Western Cape has approximately 330 beds and is expected to take in its first patient on 10 July 2020.
Image via: @alanwinde / Twitter
On Wednesday 1 July, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde inspected the brand new Brackengate Field Hospital in Brackenfell. Winde said the Brackengate facility is the third field hospital put together in the Western Cape thus far.
“This is the third of our field hospitals and it’s really amazing to see and see how every time we build one of these hospitals, we get even more right. It’s quite amazing to see what they’ve done here in one month,” he said.
WATCH: WINDE INSPECTS BRACKENGATE FIELD HOSPITAL
Put together in just one month, the Brackengate Field Hospital has been set up with 330 beds and will be able to take its first patient on 10 July.
“It’s incredible to see how it has all come together. The beds have arrived and this facility is prepared with 330 beds for Covid-19 patients. Thank you to everyone involved. Please play your part to stay safe and to save lives,” said Winde.
“Thank you to our medical team at the Brackengate Intermediate Care Facility for their dedication towards fighting this pandemic. We appreciate and value you. You are our heroes,” added Winde.
Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works Bonginkosi Madikizela said:
“Site visit at Brackengate Intermediate Care Facility in Brackenfell. The 330 [bed] facility will be handed over to the department of health for them to use as an intermediate care facility. Quarantine and isolation facilities are key in flattening the curve.”
FIELD HOSPITALS IN THE WESTERN CAPE
As of 24 June, the Western Cape government admitted 230 inpatients since opening the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) and discharged 176 patients.
Apart from Brackengate Field Hospital, the Thusong Centre in Khayelitsha has 60 beds commissioned and admitted 25 patients as of 24 June 2020. A total of 63 patients were discharged since its opening.
“Cape Winelands, Sonstraal Hospital has a total of 150 beds planned, with phase one scheduled for handover at the end of June, 63 beds,” said the Western Cape government in a statement.
“The additional IC beds have had a significantly positive impact on the acute hospitals and have relieved the pressure in our acute hospitals such that the occupancy in our acute hospitals is still manageable,” it added.
Regarding Sonstraal, Winde said:
“The Sonstraal Hospital in the Cape Winelands will accommodate approximately 150 beds and will be undertaken in phases,”
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, on Tuesday 30 June, announced that the confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa have risen to 151 209.
A total of 62 481 COVID-19 cases were reported in the Western Cape. A total of 1 859 deaths were reported and 43 120 people had recovered.
