The Western Cape Cabinet recently agreed to use the Cape Town International Convention Centre as a temporary COVID-19 hospital, creating the capacity for the care of an additional 800 people at the peak of the pandemic.
The Western Cape’s scenario planning has predicted a shortfall of 1,000 acute beds in the province at the peak of the pandemic. The use of the CTICC will allow the province to make up the majority of this shortfall.
The agreement allows the Western Cape Government to make use of the CTICC 1 building immediately up until 7 September, with an option to extend this on a month-to-month basis until the end of the year.
The CTICC has agreed to waive the hire cost of the venue, as part of its contribution to the fight against coronavirus. The temporary infrastructure build, operating and catering costs for the initial hire period will total approximately R47 million.
This amount excludes the costs that the Department of Health will incur in providing clinical equipment, oxygen, medication and temporary staff for the temporary hospital.
The intermediate care beds will cater for patients presenting with milder clinical signs who need hospitalisation and treatment including administration of oxygen.
On-site security will be provided by the CTICC and augmented by the City of Cape Town.