The departmental spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, says the ward will be officially opened at the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein. He explains that the ward has a total of 79 beds. He states that the ward is equipped with oxygen and medicine to deal with coronavirus patient’s needs. He adds that the opening ceremony will be officiated by the Free State's Health MEC, Montsheng Tsiu. 

This follows the opening of a similar ward at the Universitas Academic Hospital in Bloemfontein last week. During the opening, Tsiu said the department will soon launch further projects at the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein and Bongani Hospital in Welkom, as well as other hospitals in various districts.

“We want to be adequately prepared to respond holistically to any volume and demand for healthcare services as we enter the surge period which was projected by the Covid-19 scientific modelers. We are also preparing for the second wave of the virus whilst exonerating people's traditional healthcare needs besides Covid-19. We are now at that point where we can say we have played our part to strengthen the healthcare service to respond to all healthcare needs, including Covid-19,” Tsiu concluded in the statement.

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