Delaying medical help puts younger patients at risk
Increased pressure on medical staff as infection numbers continue to rise
Younger Covid-19 patients are waiting a day or two too long before seeking medical help, putting more pressure on healthcare workers and resources.
And compared to the first wave, the resurgence of coronavirus cases in the province shows people in younger age groups are being admitted to hospitals.
Regardless of age, says Life Healthcare group general manager in emergency medicine, Dr Charl van Loggerenberg, the severity of the virus has not changed in any way.
We have a relatively young population “representing the work force, unlike countries like Italy,” he said.
Because patients are waiting too long before seeking medical help, the level of care is acute, recovery time is longer and healthcare workers and resources are placed under greater strain.
In Nelson Mandela Bay and the Border-Kei region, the patients are younger than when the first wave hit in March, with an average age of 45 years, compared to the first wave s
’ 55 years.
Lockdown levels have become lower, resulting in more movement. However, the elderly and those with comorbidities remain at risk.
Van Loggerenberg said people did not appreciate the seriousness of the virus.
“We can say that we re experiencing a second
’ wave because of the numbers increasing. The hospital admissions and the positive cases are enough to be pointing in a worrying way.
It s important not to wait and get diagnosed “’ early treat it before any complications
— arise. When you feel symptoms, your GP is your go-to person.”
Van Loggerenberg said people should continue to wash their hands and keep their social distance. They should not give in to Covid-19 fatigue ”.
“
“Let s not get to the point of bringing in authoritarian
’ rules, let s limit our gatherings in
’ terms of viral spread. We have a tough December ahead, we need to be responsible so as to decrease the spread — there s no magic
’ wand here. The young people can also be part of the solution and be that change.”
On Thursday, Buffalo City Metro scrapped big-ticket summer events like the Buyel ekhaya and MetroFM Heatwave music
’ festivals in a bid to curb the spread.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Thursday that 4,400 new infections had been recorded in the country.
Nelson Mandela Bay has been confirmed as a hotspot under level 1 lockdown and additional restrictions applied.
Co-operative governance & traditional affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has gazetted the new regulations.
The government gazette, published on Thursday night, spells out additional rules pertaining to the sale of alcohol, gatherings and Covid-19 protocols in the city.
Gatherings at faith-based institutions are limited to 100 people in the case of an indoor gathering and a maximum of 250 people at outdoor gatherings, provided that no more than 50% of the capacity of the venue is used, with people wearing face masks and observing a distance of at least 1.5m from each other.
The same applies to social events, conferences and funerals. Night vigils are not allowed. After-funeral gatherings are also not allowed in areas determined as hotspots.
Gatherings at a workplace for work purposes, cinemas, conferences and concerts will be allowed. Limits on numbers will apply.
Nelson Mandela Bay residents will also be allowed to go to sports grounds, fields, beaches, public parks, museums, galleries and libraries.
Restaurants, bars, taverns and shebeens will also be permitted to operate, provided that the number of guests does not constitute more than 50% of the capacity of the venue.
The Sarah Baartman district in the Eastern Cape and the Garden Route in the Western Cape have not yet been declared hotspots. However health minister Zweli Mkhize will be visiting the regions to assess the situation and report back to the national coronavirus command council.