Covid-19: South African hospitals fear being overwhelmed by the second wave
Candidates for screening in the waiting room of a hospital in Soweto, South Africa, November 30, 2020. AP - Jerome Delay
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South Africa is currently experiencing a second wave, with a variant of the virus that appears to be more contagious.
And caregivers are struggling to accommodate all the sick, while hospitals are starting to be overwhelmed.
The new restrictions announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday December 28 are therefore greeted with relief by the unions of hospital staff.
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With our correspondent in Johannesburg,
Claire Bargelès
Since the start of the new coronavirus pandemic, more than 40,000 caregivers have been infected, according to the resident of the Republic, Cyril Ramaphosa.
And health workers are starting to be exhausted and overwhelmed by the magnitude of this second wave, according to Cassim Lekhoathi, general secretary of the Democratic nursing organization of South Africa (DENOSA):
“
This second wave of Covid-19 has really put hospital workers under pressure.
It took us by surprise, and we weren't ready yet.
There is a lack of resources, a lack of personnel, as well as adequate equipment.
"
I will light a candle in Cape Town at exactly midnight on New Year's Eve in memory of those who have lost their lives and in tribute to those who are on the frontline working to save our lives and protect us from harm.
- Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 #StaySafe (@CyrilRamaphosa) December 28, 2020
► See also: South Africa facing a new variant of Covid-19
The largest private hospital groups have already announced that they are starting to run out of intensive care beds, as in the first wave.
The new measures announced
by Cyril Ramaphosa were therefore more than necessary, according to Khaya Xaba, from the NEHAWU (National education, health and allied workers' union):
“
We welcome the new restrictions, in particular the ban on the sale of alcohol, especially during this holiday season, as consumption increases attacks with knives and firearms, and traffic accidents.
We also welcome the decision to close the beaches and extend the curfew.
We believe that with these measures, if they are well applied, we will be able to better fight against the virus.
"
In the most affected regions, people are encouraged to go to public hospitals only in emergencies.
“We just let our guard down, and now we're unfortunately paying the price.
The government has decided to place the country on level 3 health alert.
"
Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, during his speech on December 28 on strengthening measures against Covid-19
Claire Bargelès
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South Africa
Coronavirus
Health and medicine
Cyril Ramaphosa
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