It will cost the Western Cape government R16 000 per bed for state patients to be treated at a private hospital if government hospitals no longer have space for Covid-19 patients.

Cloete said national and provincial government health officials as well as six private sector hospitals had agreed the price of R16 000 a bed included specialists, equipment, while state patients who were referred would not be billed.

Western Cape head of transport and public works Jacqui Gooch said 13 government facilities were in use already with a 2 452-person capacity, and 19 private facilities were in use for 1 396 people.

The government has 13 facilities for 749 people ready to be activated, and has arranged, in the private sector, for another 160 facilities with an 8 933-person capacity.

By 12:00 on Thursday, the Western Cape had 634 people in quarantine and isolation facilities.