UPDATE: Covid-19 recoveries increase in old age homes | Western Cape Government

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UPDATE: Covid-19 recoveries increase in old age homes

31 March 2021

The Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, is calling upon all members of the public to be extra vigilant when visiting your loved ones at old age homes this Easter weekend.

As of 29 March 2021, the number of residents in old age homes who have recovered from COVID-19 has increased to 2575. The current figures show an increase of 33 recoveries, and a decrease in the number of active infections from 27 to 9, since the Department of Social Development last provided an update on 17 March 2021.

“I would like to remind all members of the public that COVID-19 is not on holiday. Before and whilst visiting your loved ones over the long weekend, please take the necessary steps to prevent contracting and spreading COVID-19. We do this to protect not only ourselves, but our communities, and especially those who are older and live with high-risk comorbidities.

This includes wearing our masks to cover both the nose and mouth, regular hand washing, and avoiding crowds, close contact and confined spaces”, said Minister Fernandez.

Senior citizens are at greater risk of severe COVID-19 infection, requiring hospitalization or other forms of specialised health services. As such, the Department of Social Development (DSD) remains on high alert, and responsive to any potential risk of infections increasing in old age homes.

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 wish to thank the managers 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,” 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