Mkhize: South Africa expected to reach COVID-19 peak mid-August
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says South Africa's COVID-19 peak is expected around mid-August - but at a lower level than previously projected.
Briefing Parliament on Wednesday afternoon - Mkhize says fewer people were infected in May and June than was previously predicted.
"While the model projects a lower need for hospital (non-ICU) and ICU beds at a national level, bed capacity is still expected to be breached or overwhelmed in all provinces.
"Currently planned hospital beds in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng are projected to be insufficient for combined non-ICU bed demand and the overflow from ICU once ICU capacity has been breached.
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"Bed capacity, including all currently committed public and private sector beds, is expected to be breached in the next four weeks," says Mkhize.
He says the department has a coronavirus Surge Strategy in place in anticipation of the peak.
"The Department of Health has developed and is implementing the Surge Strategy, in anticipation of the peak.
"This will ensure that the department increases capacity for COVID-19, while at the same time continuing to deliver other health services to the health care users," says Mkhize.
