In Practice

Challenges around COVID-19 at a tertiary-level healthcare facility in South Africa and strategies implemented for improvement

T Thomas, A E Laher, A Mahomed, S Stacey, F Motara, M Mer

Abstract


SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in a global pandemic within months following its initial detection. South Africa (SA), like many other countries, was not prepared for the impact this novel infection would have on the healthcare system. In this paper, the authors discuss the challenges experienced while facing COVID-19 at a tertiary-level institution in Gauteng province, SA, and the dynamic strategies implemented to deal with the epidemic.


Authors' affiliations

T Thomas, Infection Control Services Laboratory, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

A E Laher, Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

A Mahomed, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

S Stacey, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

F Motara, Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

M Mer, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

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Keywords

COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Hospital preparedness; Challenges

Cite this article

South African Medical Journal 2020;110(10):964-967. DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.2020.v110i10.15143

Article History

Date submitted: 2020-08-19
Date published: 2020-08-19

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