WC Health Dept records 89,500 emergency admissions since start of December

CAPE TOWN - The Western Cape Health Department has recorded 89,500 admissions to emergency centers at hospitals in the province since the start of December.

Chief operating officer for the department, Saadiq Kariem, said that the admissions included 23,950 trauma cases.

"And if I look at the trauma cases alone, we've had 369 gunshot wounds, 4,565 stabbings, 5,500 assault cases. We've also had 1,145 motor vehicle accidents."

Kariem said that 900 pedestrians were involved in accidents and 488 people were treated for self-harm injuries.

"This is a very lonely time of the year for many people, and thus far since the first December we've already had 56 suicide deaths."  

Kariem encouraged people to reach out to loved ones who find themselves alone during the festive season.