UPDATE: Rand Aid reports a total of 22 positive Covid-19 cases

On June 8, Rand Aid reported it had received confirmation of 22 positive Covid-19 cases.
In a statement to the NEWS, Rand Aid CEO Peter Quinn said of the 1 825 combined Rand Aid residents and employees, 22 people had tested positive.
“Of these, 18 cases were still active.”

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He confirmed that two deaths had been recorded; one in Rand Aid’s isolation facility on June 8 and another in hospital on June 6.
“Both of the deceased were care centre residents.”
Of the 18 active cases, 10 are residents and eight are staff members.
“Of these, many are asymptomatic and all are in isolation, with two in hospital,” Quinn said.

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He added that three external service providers had tested positive and contact tracing was done to identify and test any staff members or residents who had come into contact with them.
“In total, 558 tests have been done, of which 90 results were outstanding by June 8 as a result of the national backlog,” Quinn said.
He also confirmed that two residents of Thembalami Care Centre, who had tested positive on May 29, have recovered.

“They were retested on June 4 and tested negative. Both are asymptomatic and are in isolation, where they will remain for the mandated 14 days. No other residents or staff members at Thembalami and the Max Ordman Deaf Association have tested positive, although the results of some staff members are still outstanding.”
It was the deaths of two residents on one corridor of Thembalami that initially raised concerns about possible coronavirus cases at the Lombardy East care centre.
Rand Aid immediately called in the Department of Health and all residents and staff members were tested.

The tests of the residents were negative, apart from the two asymptomatic residents who tested positive.
The deaths of the two residents, which initially raised the alarm, have not been linked to coronavirus.
“Given the age of Rand Aid’s retirement villages and care centre residents, a number of natural deaths each month are unfortunately to be expected. On average, between eight and 10 residents from across all properties die each month,” Quinn said.

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Rand Aid Association owns and runs four independent living retirement villages namely Inyoni Creek, Elphin Lodge, Thornhill Manor and Tarentaal as well as two frail care centres for older persons namely Ron Smith Care Centre and Thembalami, which incorporates the Max Ordman Deaf Association.
Collectively, the care centres and retirement villages have over 1 400 residents and 425 employees.
“From the outset, Rand Aid reacted urgently to Covid-19. When the president announced a national state of disaster on March 15, a number of infection-control measures were already in place across all Rand Aid properties,” Quinn said.

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The villages and care centres went into lockdown in the middle of March, with no visitors being allowed onto the grounds, unless deemed essential.
“With older persons facing increased risks of complications from Covid-19, Rand Aid followed the progression of the disease closely and when South Africa confirmed its first case, steps were immediately taken to keep residents and staff members safe,” he said.
Quinn added that all health and hygiene protocols are strictly adhered to, including the wearing of masks by staff, screening of staff and residents, widespread sanitation and social distancing.

Health-care workers who interact with residents who have tested positive wear full PPE kit.
“Isolation and quarantine facilities were established weeks ago, in preparation for any possible coronavirus cases.” Quinn said.

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