NELSON Mandela Bay Municipality Acting Mayor, Thsonono Buyeye, has announced the closure of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium COVID-19 isolation facility following a decision by the COVID-19 Metro Command Council last Wednesday to close the facility at the end of the August.
The decision was informed by the evidence that the number of COVID-19 patients admitted to the facility had significantly dropped over the last few weeks.
Buyeye said, “We can no longer justify keeping the facility open when the number of patients has significantly dropped.
“We are happy that we managed to turn the tide as the projected numbers were scary.
“We have the Dr Elizabeth Mamisa Chabula-Nxiweni field hospital, which has 1 500 beds available and only has about 30 patients at the hospital.
“We have enough beds even in hospitals; we don’t have a reason not to start with the normal activities of the stadium, in terms of the events that are supposed to be here.”
Buyeye added, “We received mixed messages when we started this initiative but it has proven to be the correct decision.
“It turned out good; we had many highlights including President Cyril Ramaphosa, the health minister and the premier visiting the facility.
“They were happy with what they saw. This facility was referred to as a groundbreaking, innovative site.”
Since the facility was officially opened on April 29, a total of 1 351 patients were admitted, with 1 334 patients fully recovering and successfully discharged while 18 patients were referred for external hospitalisation.
“We had anticipated that by this time this facility would be packed but through interventions and the grace of God, we are seeing something completely differently to what we had anticipated,”
Buyeye was joined by Dr Litha Matiwane from the Department of Health and NMBM Disaster Management chairperson, Shane Brown, who both pleaded with residents to be vigilant and not think the pandemic was over.
MBDA welcomes closure
The Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA), as the operator of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, welcomed the official winding down of the highly successful COVID-19 isolation facility.
“The innovations introduced by the MBDA, with the approval of NMBM COVID-19 joint operations committee, included the provision of a complete wellness programme, which includes access to recreational facilities, prayers, fitness programmes, WiFi and quality meals on offer,” said MBDA spokesperson, Luvuyo Bangazi.
“The MBDA wishes to thank the NMBM and the district health office for their amazing and fruitful cooperation in jointly managing the isolation site.
“Our collective work would not have been a success it is if it wasn’t for the generosity of various local businesses and citizens.”
The MBDA will, this week, start preparing the stadium for its core business of sport and events.
