UPDATE: Increase in COVID-19 recoveries across Old Age Homes | Western Cape Government

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UPDATE: Increase in COVID-19 recoveries across Old Age Homes

4 May 2021

As of 04 May 2021, the number of residents in old age homes, who have recovered from COVID-19 has increased to 2650. The current figures show an increase of 16 recoveries, and a decrease in the number of active infections from 14 to 8, since the Department of Social Development last provided an update on 22 April 2021.

“I would like to urge all residential facilities and service centers for the elderly to play a role in Phase 2 of the implementation of the provincial COVID-19 vaccination roll-out plan, by assisting their residents and service users to register for the COVID-19 vaccination.

We are continuing to witness an increase in COVID-19 recoveries in old age homes across the Western Cape. However, we need to remain on high alert and be responsive to potential risks of increasing infections as they have in the past.” Said Minister Fernandez.

The Department of Health is facilitating the planning and implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination programme which includes vulnerable populations such as older persons.

The general public is encouraged to assist citizens who are 60 years and older and are willing to be vaccinated as soon as possible on the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS).

Although Government is in the process of rolling out COVID-19 vaccinations, now is not the time for us to let our guard down. It is crucial that we all play our part to keep ourselves, especially the elderly safe as the virus is still with us.

“I wish to thank the management of every old age home, carers, staff and officials for their ongoing commitment and devotion in helping us manage the spread of the virus at all old age homes.

We are grateful and appreciative of all your efforts during these challenging times,” said Minister Fernandez.

The provincial DSDs role as stipulated in the Older Persons Act, is to register residential facilities and to monitor adherence to norms and standards of care within facilities.

Whilst DSD subsidises older persons within these respective facilities, all old age homes are owned and managed independently.

In the Western Cape, there is a total of 300 old age homes of which, 117 are funded by the provincial DSD. 

All residential facilities can access information with regards to the COVID-19 Vaccination roll-out on www.vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za.

We urge the public to access credible information on https://www.westerncape.gov.za/department-of-health/coronavirus.

Media Enquiries: 

Joshua Covenant Chigome

Spokesperson for the Minister of Social Development, Minister Sharna Fernandez

Tel: 021 483 9217

Cell: 083 661 4949

Email: Joshua.chigome@westerncape.gov.za­