COVID-19: South Africa’s big venues converted into field hospitals
The number of COVID-19 cases in South Africa continues to rise. At this stage, the number of cases across the nation seems to rise by at least 300 every day and we haven’t even reached our peak. Once the peak hits in September, we would need to be prepared for an influx of patients which means field hospitals are a necessity now more than ever.
These are some well-known venues that have been converted into field hospitals to manage the influx of cases.
SA VENUES CONVERTED TO FIELD HOSPITALS
NASREC EXPO CENTRE
On Wednesday 15 April, the Nasrec centre was fully equipped with over 2 000 beds.
According to expocentre.co.za, Nasrec is the ideal venue for a field hospital — mainly because of the large number of people it can accommodate.
“The Johannesburg Expo Centre (JEC) — South Africa’s largest purpose-built exhibition, conference, convention and events venue — is one of Johannesburg’s best-known landmarks.”
Nasrec can take more than 100 000 people in capacity. It is 30 minutes away from all major airports, which is a key factor of convenience. There are also more than 20 000 parking bays and there are 150 000 square metres of space.
“We have set up various special sites that will help ease the pressure from health facilities and accommodate those who cannot self-isolate or quarantine at home,” said Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku.
NELSON MANDELA BAY STADIUM
In mid-April, the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth was identified as a field hospital and quarantine site. The City’s acting Mayor Thsonono Buyeye confirmed the news, saying the city had decided to be proactive and plan ahead.
According to sa-venues.com, the stadium was constructed for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is five storeys high with 46 000 seats. An additional 4 000 chairs were made available for the World Cup. There are also two conference rooms situated on the first level, which are able to accommodate 200 people.
It has 49 hospitality suites, a number of lecture rooms, function rooms, two business lounges, and a gymnasium. There are ramps and lifts, 32 turnstiles, and 74 toilet blocks. There are also 500 parking spaces inside the stadium. All these features make it ideal to act as a field hospital.
According to TimesLive, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane said marquees will be erected for field hospitals. Western Cape government spokesperson Mark van der Heever said two acute treatment facilities will be constructed in the Cape Town metro and one in a rural area.
FNB STADIUM IDENTIFIED AS FIELD HOSPITAL
The iconic FNB Stadium that has hosted many great soccer matches has also been identified as a field hospital for patients suffering from COVID-19. The stadium is set to be revamped into a 1 500 bed Temporary Severe Acute Respiratory Infections Treatment Centre to help cope with the coronavirus pandemic.
Director at Boogertman and Partners — Jean Grobler — the company that designed the stadium, said the layout of the venue imparts itself very well to creating space for patients, medical staff and suppliers to move through a treatment system while keeping the distance needed to minimise the risk of increased infection.
“From basement level to the upper suite levels each layer of the stadium was ascribed a role in the flow of treatment from testing and patient assessment to high care in ICU units”, he said.
If the facility operates at full capacity, 4 500 people from patients to medical specialists and support staff, can be accommodated.
VOLKSWAGEN PLANT
According to DisptachLive, the Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) has made its Port Elizabeth plant available as a temporary medical facility or field hospital.
The plant in Neave, Korsten, which is currently not in use, will be converted and used as an overflow medical facility. Once fully operational, the facility could accommodate up to 4 000 beds for COVID-19 patients.
No comments: