Netcare Recalls Staff from Leave in Midst of Second COVID-19 Wave

Private hospital group Netcare has recalled all front-line staff from leave in the midst of the second wave of COVID-19, and says it is concerned about the new surge in infections of COVID-19.

It also had to increase the oxygen capacity at its institutions.

Netcare CEO Dr Richard Friedland says the recent surge of cases particularly in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal has placed a significant and unprecedented demand on their healthcare facilities.

According to Friedland, the number of patients admitted to hospital in these provinces far exceeds that which was experienced in the first wave of the pandemic.

The company is deploying additional doctors, nurses, paramedics and healthcare worker teams to areas of need.

Friedland says that levels of care such as ICU and High Care, ventilators or certain oxygen delivery modalities may not be available to all patients due to the overwhelming demand.