ATHLONE
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TUESDAY 12 January 2021 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | Email: post@peoplespost.co.za | Website: www.peoplespost.co.za
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People’s Post
Beaches still closed Empty beaches amid 30 degree weather is an unfamiliar sight in the Western Cape, especially over the festive season. But with Covid-19 and the second wave spreading rapidly, government made the call to close beaches in hotspot areas. This picture was taken at Strandfontein Pavillion on the day the restrictions were implemented (Tuesday 29 December). Read more on page 7. PHOTO: SANDY SCHUTER FLOWERS
PANDEMIC
‘At war’ against Covid-19 KAYLYNNE BANTOM KAYLYNNE.BANTOM@MEDIA24.COM
“F
or me, it felt like being sent back to fight in a war that I really didn’t have the emotional capacity or physical strength to fight in,” says Dr Deborah Maughan, a specialist physician in the department of medicine at Groote Schuur Hospital. Maughan, like many other frontline workers, is physically and emotionally drained and is still recovering from the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. She says the second wave could not have come at a worse time. The doctor describes the second wave as far worse than the first. She says with more patients being infected the hospital staff is taking strain. She adds that more and more staff are becoming infected; some for the second time. “The emotional toll of this pandemic for
staff is massive. Patients are alone and families are not able to visit for obvious reasons. Having to phone families and break bad news over the phone is hard. It is a lot to absorb, but we are trying our best.” Alaric Jacobs, principal communications officer at the hospital, says they admit between 60 and 70 patients per day. “As of (Wednesday) 6 January, we have non-ventilated 225 Covid-19 positive patients and 40 patients awaiting a test result with 27 ventilated patients in ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and 32 patients on high flow nasal oxygen (HFNO).” Jacobs says they are working hard to prevent over- crowding, but says every other day they must convert hospital wards to Covid-19 wards. “We currently have 14 wards and five sixbedded ICU’s being utilised to accommodate Covid-19 patients (a total of 389 beds) which stretches staffing very thin. Teams in the emergency unit are moving patients out to the wards as soon as possible.” He says they also transfer patients to inter-
mediate care facilities at Brackengate and Mitchell’s Plain to help make space for sicker patients. Maughan says they are seeing an increase in younger patients being admitted. “Many of our patients are young and previously healthy and the virus can result in a devastating clinical illness in some patients in both the short term and the long term.” She says it is everyone’s responsibility to avoid becoming infected as it is within our power to do so and avoid spreading it to others. “It is incredibly frustrating to encounter people who refuse to believe that Covid-19 is real when we see the very real impact of this virus every day. Those using social media to spread such a message are disrespecting all the hard work that health workers are doing and all those who have lost their lives because of this virus.” The doctor paints a bleak picture of those who end up in hospital and describes the virus as devastating for not only medical staff, but also families. “There is a look on the face of the patients
when they come into the hospital, when they are struggling to breathe and on oxygen, when they realise what is happening to them. They experience fear that they might die, and they feel alone. So many people have lost parents and other family members because of this virus.” Maughan says anyone younger than 45 years who has no comorbidities but have symptoms or came into contact with someone who is positive, should isolate at home for 10 days. She adds that if you are 45 years and older, or any age with comorbidities and symptoms, to go for a test. She reiterates the importance of isolating while awaiting your results. She encourages everyone to support healthcare workers. “Please be mindful of supporting the health care workers in your family and friendship circles. Send them an encouraging message and check in with them to see how to support them. The toll this is taking on the emotional and mental state of health care workers cannot be underestimated.”
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