The Volkswagen Field Hospital in Port Elizabeth will now also serve as a testing site for Covid-19.
CEO of the VW field Hospital, Dr Limpho Ramangoaelo said this decision follows an increase in the number of Covid-19 positive patients admitted to the facility.
Dr Ramangoaelo said over the past few weeks, the number of patients coming in has doubled.
She said this is concerning because there is a possibility of a second wave of infections.
Dr Ramangoaelo said quarantine sites in the Bay are also seeing more patients coming in.
“Covid is a moving target once you start seeing numbers doubling in a short space of time, then that is a worry. The numbers are slowly increasing, and that is a concern. Remember that everything is open now," she added.
A truck, fully equipped to conduct covid-19 testing, will be stationed at the entrance of the hospital.
Testing will be done on people who are showing symptoms, as well as those who were in contact with people who tested positive for Covid-19.
Only patients who test positive will be admitted to the facility.
On Sunday, the Acting Executive Mayor of Nelson Mandela Tshonono Buyeye said that residents of the metro were dropping the ball as Covid-19 cases continue to rise.
The number of active Covid-19 cases in Nelson Mandela Bay has increased, reaching at least 349.
As of 19 October, the national death toll was 18 431.
