File
The Garden Route has seen a 26% increase in the number of Covid19 cases in the last 7 days, an increase of 525 cases according to the Western Cape Government.
In a statement on Friday, the provincial government said the areas of most concern are Bitou, Knysna, George and Mossel Bay with increases noted in Oudtshoorn and Hessequa.
“Of concern is the 67 new deaths recorded over this period.”
The provincial government said the George Regional Hospital is currently under severe pressure as patients from district hospitals were admitted for more advanced health interventions.
“George Hospital currently has 69 Covid19 patients admitted of which 12 are in critical care. They have 93 staff members who are currently infected by Covid19. The hospital is under immense pressure and we are trying to make space for as many patients as possible,” the Western Cape government said.
It said the Knysna Hospital is also under severe pressure and as of Friday there were 42 patients admitted.
“We are definitely under pressure but have effective plans in place to deal with this surge,” said Dr Andries Brink, medical manager Knysna/Bitou sub-districts.
Two additional National Health Laboratory Services busses have been deployed to Knysna and George in an attempt to keep up with the high volumes of tests needed on a daily basis.
