According to the hospital manager, all procedures and regulations were followed.
THE LENMED Royal Hospital and Heart Centre in Kimberley has confirmed that it has treated its first Covid-19 patient.
The patient was admitted on May 1 and discharged on May 4.
According to the hospital manager, Hector Mackay, the patient was isolated, treated and discharged in line with all National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) guidelines.
Mackay said their facility followed all procedures and regulations on how to handle the case.
“The safety of our patients, employees, visitors, doctors and community members is our priority. Our staff and facilities are prepared for the Covid-19 outbreak and our procedures are aligned with the NICD guidelines. All entrants to the hospital are screened, including all employees and doctors. The hospital has cancelled all visiting hours, with exceptions at the discretion of the hospital manager made for NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) and paediatric parents of patients and the critically ill,” said Mackay.
He said all employees are supplied with personal protective equipment (PPE).
“Employees are required to wear appropriate PPE for their role.”
Mackay urged patients with severe Covid-19 symptoms such as shortness of breath to call ahead to the Accident and Emergency Department of the hospital to arrange for an assessment or possible admission.
“All other patients, including those with mild symptoms or those seeking testing are requested to contact their general practitioners (GPs) for advice,” Mackay said.
The Northern Cape Department of Health confirmed on Monday that there are currently seven active Covid-19 cases in Kimberley. Five of those patients were admitted to hospital for conditions not related to Covid-19 but were identified as being Covid-19 positive during the hospital’s screening and testing procedure.
According to the department, all five are currently in isolation in hospital.
“A sixth person was tested for Covid-19 in preparation for admission for an unrelated operation and was positive. This person is in self-isolation at home. The seventh person testing positive is a close contact of one of the five admitted patients and is in self-isolation at home.”
The department added that the District Outbreak Response Team was busy tracing all their close contacts who were being placed under quarantine whilst they were tested and waiting for the results.
