Field hospital’s first success

An empty warehouse converted into a Covid-19 field hospital has discharged its first patient, days after he was transferred to the Brackengate intermediate care facility in Cape Town.

Tanduxolo Mkhetshane, 49, was transferred from Tygerberg Hospital with moderate to severe Covid-19 symptoms, one of the first admitted to Brackengate when it admitted its first 10 patients on Monday.

Mkhetshane, from Town 3 in Khayelitsha, was discharged from the 338-bed facility on Wednesday. “Mr Mkhetshane received a warm farewell as he left the hospital as the first patient who was discharged from this facility,” manager Dr Barry Smith said.

“It is very uplifting for the staff to see patients recover and reunite with their families. These moments of hope bring great encouragement to the healthcare workers who are at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19.”

A total of 24 patients had been admitted to Brackengate by Wednesday, with more expected yesterday, provincial health department spokesperson Maret Lesch said.

The facility provides intermediate care to patients who require hospitalisation and oxygen, but are not critical, she said.

“The facility is equipped with oxygen at each bed and a further eight beds fitted for high-flow nasal oxygen.”

According to the Western Cape government’s statistics released on Wednesday, there are 86 372 confirmed cases, with 12 135 active cases and 71 491 recoveries and 2 746 deaths. – News24 Wire