As part of the health system’s response to COVID-19, Victoria Hospital has implemented temporary changes to the way it operates to curb physical interaction and stop the spread of Coronavirus.

To protect our community, we promote avoiding all situations where human bodies are in contact and reducing the times and places when people come together – including going to a public health facility when it is not necessary. By keeping your distance from crowded places such as clinics and hospitals, you protect the vulnerable, including the sick and elderly, and safeguard our facilities against the spread of the virus.

The following actions have been taken to stop the spread of COVID-19:

• Screening of all patients, visitors and staff at all entrances and provision of hand sanitiser
• Restricted visiting hours:
  • Between 19:00 and 20:00
  • Only 1 visitor per patient with no rotations of visitors allowed
  • No children under 12 years old
• Non-urgent outpatient appointments will be postponed and patients given alternative dates
• Stable chronic patients to be issued 2 months’ supply of medication to reduce visits
• Non-urgent elective surgery will be postponed and patients provided with a later date
• Patients who are in hospital but are stable will be discharged for further management at home

Evidence from other parts of the world suggests that significant action is required to help contain the spread of the Coronavirus and to allow the health system to be better prepared to manage the numbers of patients requiring treatment.

Victoria Hospital calls on everyone to heed the call to help combat this disease through taking the following measures:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve/elbow (not your hands) when coughing/sneezing. Discard used tissues immediately and wash your hands.
• Avoid close contact with those who are sick. Wearing a mask is unlikely to protect you if you are well. People who are coughing and sneezing who wear a mask are less likely to infect others.
• Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose or mouth.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces (counters, bedside table, doorknobs, bathroom surfaces, phones).
• Wash hands often, especially before handling food/after using toilet or coughing/sneezing

 

Symptoms to look out for include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Body aches

If you are feeling sick and concerned that you may be infected, stay at home and call the National General Public Hotline on +27 800 029 999, the Western Cape Provincial Hotline on 021 928 4102 or National WhatsApp +27 600 123 456.

Further information can also be found on www.westerncape.gov.za/department-of-health/coronavirus.