Bad weather sets back field hospital opening

From left, are Dr Barry Smith, CEO of the Brackengate field hospital; Juanita Arendse, director of the northern Tygerberg substructure for the provincial Department of Health; Wendy van Rensburg, from the Shoprite Group; and Harry Grainger, CEO at Health Foundation.

Bad weather has delayed the opening of a Covid-19 field hospital in a Brackenfell business park.

With final touch-ups being done at Brackengate intermediate-care facility, the hospital was now scheduled to open on Monday July 20 instead of Friday July 10, as originally planned, the provincial Department of Health said.

Spokesman Mark van der Heever said the hospital would care for up to 330 patients with moderate Covid-19 symptoms and breathing difficulties.

This is the third Covid-19 field hospital being built in the province.

A large food retailer has donated 330 care-packs including blankets and toiletries for patients at the Brackengate facility. Each pack contains a blanket, soap, hand sanitiser, a face cloth, toothbrush and toothpaste.

If you would like to donate care packs or blankets drop them off at the Health Foundation offices at 16th Floor Norton Rose House, 8 Riebeek Street, Cape Town.