PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - There is some good news on the Covid-19 front in Plettenberg Bay as plans are starting to come together in the fight against the coronavirus in Bitou.
According to the Bitou Covid-19 response team, just short of R1.5-million, including a donation of R200 000 from the Bitou Municipality, has been raised for their efforts so far and that just over R76 000 of this amount has been spent so far.
Head of the team Dr Nicky Whiteman also conveyed the positive news that all five of the locals who had tested positive for the coronavirus have recovered, but added, “This week the Western Cape department of health is conducting door-to-door screening in the community, starting with Kranshoek. This will likely see our total number of cases rise.”
Isolation facility plans
In preparation of this expected rise, the team, in collaboration with the municipality, are in the process of setting up an isolation facility at the Piesang Valley Community Hall.
Whiteman added that regular meetings are being held with the department and that they are being kept up to date with what medical facilities and supplies would be available to Bitou should the local referral systems become overwhelmed. “The department has an escalation plan for Bitou which they will make known to the public should this be necessary. The Bitou Covid-19 response team would, however, like to be prepared should we reach a situation where there isn’t a consistent external supply of personal protective equipment and medical supplies. We are working closely with Hospice Plett and the private doctors of Plett to estimate what our needs might be and to plan accordingly.”
With the help of local businesses and individuals, a vast range of personal protective, medical and disposable medical equipment have been procured.
Locally based textile company Mungo are making all volunteer healthcare workers surgical scrubs at cost while Hunters Lodge have donated 1000 "shower" caps and resident Jason Graber has locally produced 50 face shields using a 3D printer.
More equipment in pipeline
The team has also ordered 40 5-litre oxygen concentrators. “Due to volatile exchange rates and inconsistent import and export channels as well as the global demand for oxygen concentrators it is difficult to estimate when these will be arriving in Plett and how much they will cost. We are working through a couple of local companies to try and procure these machines as soon as possible. According to our predictions – which are based on global statistics – if we require these machines it will only be needed in mid to late June.”
Other equipment the team has ordered includes pulse oximeters (to measure blood oxygen levels) as well as infrared thermometers and syringe drivers. Hopsice Plett has loaned them automated blood pressure machines while a Plett local is producing spacers, used for asthma pumps, out of 500ml plastic bottles. Whiteman explained that a bronchodilator asthma pump used with a spacer helps to administer the medication as effectively into the lungs as a nebuliser without causing aerosolisation of the virus.
“We are ordering oxygen tubing, equipment for giving intravenous medication and fluids, linen savers, catheters, syringes and needles from a local supplier. We have also ordered large amounts of hand sanitiser.”
Ensuring sufficient medication
The team is also working with a local pharmacist to ensure that sufficient medication is available should locals not be able to get enough through the health department.
Whiteman said relief efforts have been going well although they realised that not every person in need benefited from the recent food parcel drive which saw 3 500 food parcels being distributed across Bitou. “We are in the process of trying to set up a reliable, safe and consistent feeding scheme. The details of this are being finalised and will be published shortly. In the meantime we have set up a central food depot at the Methodist Church.”
Whiteman said they are also working closely with the homemade mask initiative and are advocating the use thereof for everyone outside of those working in healthcare facilities.
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