Province to ramp up vaccinations

AS COVID-19 case numbers increase across the province, with an average of 1 039 new diagnoses and around 15 deaths each day, the province is looking to ramp up vaccinations and enforce restrictions on gatherings to contain the third wave.

Speaking at the regular health and vaccination digital news conference update, provincial head of health Dr Keith Cloete said that across the province case numbers were increasing rapidly, with an average of 1 039 new cases each day.

“Hospital admissions are increasing, with an average of 86 new admissions per day, and deaths have also started to increase now, with around 15 deaths daily,” he said.

Cloete said the province had received confirmation from the national Department of Health that it would receive 191 880 doses of the Pfizer vaccine this week, to be used over two weeks. The weekly supply of Johnson & Johnson shots was also expected to be confirmed over the coming week.

Meanwhile, the next phase in the province’s vaccination strategy is the opening of mass vaccination sites.

This was being done in time for the announcement expected in the next week that the target of vaccinating 70% of the over 60s had been met, and the transition to other age groups could begin, Cloete said.

There are an average of 86 hospital admissions a day and 15 deaths a day KEITH CLOETE provincial head of health

During the press conference it was announced that the province had entered into a partnership with the City and Discovery Health, and together they were in the process of commissioning a mass vaccination site at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

The mass vaccination centre is expected to go live in July and is to run for six months.

A joint statement released by Premier Alan Winde, mayor Dan Plato and Discovery chief executive Ryan Noach, said the province would be primarily responsible for overall co-ordination, supply of vaccines, and clinical and facilities management.

“Discovery Health will be responsible for client experience, various aspects of the technology solution and administrative functions. The parties will jointly manage the site day-today to ensure that it runs efficiently … ensuring a seamless vaccination experience for all who attend, both medical scheme members and uninsured residents of the metro,” it said.

In June last year at the height of the first wave, the CTICC was designated a temporary field hospital with a capacity of 862 beds. It cared for more than 1 500 patients over the 11 weeks it was open.