​Qaqambile Mdledle
Gauteng Premier, David Makhura and MEC for Health, Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi, visited Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Tshwane on Monday, 11 January 2021.
The visit follows a sharp increase in the number of Covid-19 patients admitted at the hospital. The facility has put up two fever tents to accommodate the increase in admissions.
Premier Makhura said the facility is receiving patients from private facilities and other provinces.
"The increased numbers of patients require critical care, with some arriving in groups and putting pressure on the facility. Some of the patients being admitted are from private healthcare facilities because of lack of space, while others are self-referred from other provinces such as North West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo," he said. 
In 2020, the Tshwane District Hospital was converted into a strictly COVID-19 treating facility in partnership with Steve Biko Academic Hospital, transforming the two hospitals into a complex. These efforts were done in order to increase COVID-19 designated beds within the complex.
Makhura said there are currently 95 beds at the Tshwane hospital dedicated to Covid-19 patients, 43 of these beds are currently occupied.
He added that other medical and health services will be scaled down to prioritise Covid-19 patients.
As of Sunday evening, Gauteng had 333 842, confirmed cases, with 6170 deaths and 281 400 recoveries.
Premier Makhura appealed for collaboration and co-operation from Gauteng residents, and civil society to play their part in curbing the spread of the virus. "Funerals and large gatherings remain super-spreaders and we urge all residents to take all necessary precautions".
"We are urging communities not to be complacent. The non-pharmaceutical interventions of wearing of a mask, regularly washing hands, avoiding closed and crowded places remain central in preventing the further spread of Covid-19" he added.​​