Water restrictions now enforced
The latest figures on the dam levels in the Mossel Bay area indicate a steady drop despite the recent rains.
The Klipheuwel Dam level dropped to below 50%; the dam is now at 48.79%. The Wolwedans Dam is barely fuller than 50% at 51.06%, a drop of 0.78% from last week despite the 14.2 mm rain recorded in the catchment area of the dam during the past week.
Residents are urged to adhere to municipal requests to use water sparingly. As of today, Friday 1 November, stricter water restrictions will come into effect.
For details on the restrictions and applicable tariffs residents are invited to visit the municipal website, https://bit.ly/2q3Wvz9
The use of the restrictions and higher tariffs on water consumption are intended to encourage residents to use only what they really need. All consumption charges on water tariffs will increase by 50% as of that date. However, the basic charges will remain the same.
The water restrictions will be imposed per the relevant by-laws and policies and all consumers of water will be charged an increased tariff per the approved tariff list.
The antimicrobial stewardship team at Mossel Bay Hospital has been shortlisted for the Western Cape Government Service Excellence Awards, in the category, Best Batho Pele Team.
This category recognises a team of public servants working to provide effective services to citizens. The team must display characteristics of committed members, working together and cooperating or complementing one another. The final outcome will be announced at the awards ceremony on 4 December at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West.
Antimicrobial stewardship has the main goal of preventing antibiotic resistance in patients by prescribing and dispensing antibiotics when they are needed and according to current health guidelines.
Antibiotic stewardship was first introduced in the Western Cape at Groote Schuur Hospital.
"We aimed to grow a culture of team-based antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) at Mossel Bay Hospital. "The multiprofessional, clinical team has been conducting weekly AMS ward rounds since 2017.
"Our team consists of the Infection, Prevention and Control nursing manager, the family physician, the pharmacists and the wards’ operational managers.
"Every Tuesday between 07:45 and 09:00, we review all patients on antimicrobials in the male, female and children’s wards. All AMS activities are supported by the ward clinicians and operational managers, as well as the subdistrict management team," said Dr Klaus von Pressentin.