Mbabane: Tough measures call for tough decisions!
Independent News has reliably learnt that Lubombo Referral Hospital is hastily undergoing renovations following the rapid rising numbers of COVID-19 positive cases in the country. Director of Health Dr. Vusi Magagula disclosed that the referral hospital has proven too small amid the fast growing numbers of COVID and as government they have been left with no option but to effect changes which will see the accommodation of a larger capacity of patients.
Magagula said the referral hospital was initially a complex with a clinic and offices and had not been converted into wards, but now is the time to do that. Magagula went on to say the ministry reached a consensus to extend the hospital on April 26 at a meeting with other relevant authorities.
The director said they were looking to use other centres and one such is the TB Referral Hospital in Manzini, and they are content that the place is ideal for the quarantine of patients with the virus.
On another hand, the director could not divulge their target for tests which had to be unceremoniously altered after the dawn of local transmissions. At the start of the outbreak, government’s target in terms of tests was Emaswati coming from South Africa and abroad.
The turnaround time for results was limited after government extended the capacity of the laboratory at the Mbabane Government Hospital where tests are now conducted. Results come on the same day of the tests.
The COVID-19 pandemic is rearing its ugly head with the country recording an appalling 16 cases in one day on April 25. As of now the number of confirmed cases stands at 59.
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