Resident of old-age home in Bethal tests positive for Covid-19

BETHAL – Employees and residents of an old-age home in Bethal and their relatives received letters that an aged resident has tested positive for Covid-19.

Mr Joe Duvenage, chief executive officer at Residentia Palmoord said in the signed letter that the patient is currently in hospital.

The letter states in Afrikaans that daily evaluations are still being conducted and that no other residents or personnel are currently showing any symptoms of the coronavirus.

“The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and the Department of Health have been notified.”

Mr Duvenage asked the residents and their families, as well as other stakeholders, to remain calm and to adhere to the protocols and instructions of the staff and the health workers during the tracing procedures and isolation of people who will be affected by this situation.

He assured the receivers of the letter that Residentia is doing as much as possible to keep the virus away from their facilities.

“Our residents are the heart of the organisation.”

According to Mr Duvenage, the following measures have been set in place to protect and ensure the health and wellbeing of the residents and workers at Residentia Palmoord:

• Placing identified residents and workers in quarantine
• All workers who might have had contact with the infected resident will be sent for tests and self-isolation. They will be replaced by other workers
• The old-age home will be properly disinfected and sanitised.
• There will be a restriction on the delivery of non-essential items until further notice.
• Contact with the authorities will continue for help with implementing more precautions if needed.

Mr Duvenage further thanked the organisation’s hardworking team, the residents of Residentia Palmoord and their families for their support and understanding in this difficult time.