Western Cape EMS responded to over 3 300 incidents over the weekend

An EMS vehicle on duty. Picture: David Ritchie/African News Agency(ANA)

An EMS vehicle on duty. Picture: David Ritchie/African News Agency(ANA)

Published Apr 20, 2020

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Cape Town - Western Cape Government Health's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to 3 360 incidents in the province during the weekend, 17 – 19 April, 2020.

The incidents occurred in the City of Cape Town (1 751); Cape Winelands District Municipality (502); Eden District Municipality (454); West Coast District Municipality (341); Overberg District Municipality (215) and Central Karoo District Municipality (97). 

EMS officials responded to 105 incidents in red zone areas and 55 transport-related incidents. 

The top ten incident types included non-cardiac pain (617); respiratory complaints (407); obstetric complaints (339); abdominal complaints (222); neurological complaints (212); vomiting/diarrhoea (151); weapon assault (131) musculoskeletal complaints (130); fever (105); and convulsions (103). 

The red zone area incidents occurred in Beacon Valley, Mitchells Plain (44); Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain (35); Hanover Park (16) and Chicago, Paarl (10). Ambulance crews are not allowed to enter these zones without a South African Police Service (SAPS) escort. 

Most patients were transported to the Tygerberg, Paarl and New Somerset Hospitals.

Over the Easter long weekend, the EMS services responded to a staggering 6 444 incidents in the province. There were 184 incidents in red zone areas and 74 transport-related incidents. 

Cape Argus

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