Department puts plans in place to address high swine flu cases

By Ofentse Mokae
01 September 2009

The Western Cape health department has put up plans to address the pressure that is currently placed on state health services by the spread of the influenza H1N1 pandemic.

The H1N1 influenza pandemic has particularly impacted on younger people and pregnant women.

Currently there are a number of H1N1 patients requiring intensive care in hospitals and these numbers are expected to increase during the coming months.

Health department spokesperson Faiza Steyn said the plans by their department are to minimise the impact and manage the increasing patient load presenting to public health facilities in the province.

“These plans include tighter measures for infection prevention and control, increased isolation measures in health facilities as well as meticulous hand washing to limit the spread of infection,” she said.

Steyn says no children will be allowed to visit maternity wards and they will ensure access for patients in regional and central hospitals from rural referring hospitals is made.

The department has requested the public to note that under no circumstances will visitors and children be permitted in the casualty areas of hospitals or the maternity wards as well as high care units of state hospitals in the province until further notice.