Management confirms positive Covid-19 cases at Alan Woodrow Retirement Village

Alan Woodrow Park Retirement Village management confirmed two frail care residents are hospitalised due to Covid-19, but denied that another patient died from the virus.

This comes after an anonymous source recently informed the Advertiser about the positive cases at the retirement village. Rob van der Walt, the general manager at the village, said the elderly woman who died tested positive for the coronavirus, but passed away due to a clot in her lungs.

The source said staff members are concerned about the lack of communication and transparency from management, however, Van der Walt insisted they did everything according to the book when they became aware of the positive cases.

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“Senior residents are at high risk, and we’re extremely cautious when it comes to their health. We have all the necessary precautionary measures in place at the retirement village. We don’t allow visitors. Staff members and residents are getting screened and have adequate personal protection equipment,” he told the Advertiser.

“We correctly informed the Department of Health and are still awaiting response from them. This is concerning because the virus is especially dangerous for senior citizens. Therefore, we expected them to respond to the positive cases sooner.

“The village was also deep cleaned as the safety of our residents and staff members is a priority to us. All residents were already tested, as well as staff members are tested on an ongoing basis. Alan Woodrow is not hiding anything. We wanted to handle the matter in a rational way without creating panic. We also sent out letters to inform stakeholders,” the general manager explained.

A letter from the site manager in regards to the positive cases reads: “Frail care is not under quarantine, but has been closed to all visitors as an extra precaution, and all residents have been tested, and all found to be negative except for the two who have been hospitalised. In addition, all frail care residents have been requested to remain within that facility and not go out at all, except for a visit to the hairdresser if they are capable of doing so,” the letter from the site manager, Isabel Botha, continued.

The manager concluded the letter by stating they will keep residents informed should there be any undue developments.

The Advertiser is awaiting comment from the Department of Health.

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