UPDATE: Increase in COVID19 recoveries across Old Age Homes | Western Cape Government

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UPDATE: Increase in COVID19 recoveries across Old Age Homes

24 February 2021

As of 23 February 2021, the number of residents in old age homes, who have recovered from Covid-19 has increased to 2447. The current figures show an increase of 163 recoveries, and a decrease in the number of active infections from 101 to 33, since the Department of Social Development last provided an update on 03 February 2021.

“Whilst are continuing to witness steady COVID-19 recoveries in old age homes across the Western Cape, we need to remain on high alert, and be responsive to any potential risks of infections increasing as they have in the past.

By joining hands and working together, we can continue to mitigate the effects of Covid-19,” said the Western Cape Minister for Social Development, Sharna Fernandez.

“I wish to thank the Board of Directors of every old age home, carers, staff, officials and family members 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,” added Minister Fernandez.

The provincial Department of Social Development (DSD)’s 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 subsidizes 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.      

“I would like to encourage the public to frequently wash their hands, and to wear your masks correctly each time you leave home. It is also crucial to clean all surfaces around you - whether it be at home or work. Let’s do everything we can to ensure that we stop the further spread of the virus and protect those who are older and live with high-risk comorbidities. By doing this we can get our province moving forward again,” concluded Minister Fernandez. 

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

For more information about our other services, please refer to the Western Cape Department’s Website below:

https://www.westerncape.gov.za/dept/social-development

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