#Coronavirus: Little Eden Society takes steps to limit risk to its residents
The fête, which is the society’s annual fund-raising event, scheduled to take place on May 9, has been postponed until further notice.
Edenvale’s Little Eden Society took precautionary measures to limit the risk of potential Covid-19 infections at their home in Edenvale and Bapsfontein.
Also read:#Coronavirus: Khanyisa Soup Kitchen takes precautions but continues to feed the needy
Little Eden provides life-long care to 300 children and adults with profound intellectual disability at its two custom designed residential facilities.
Communications officer of the society Nichollette Muthige said they seriously considered the immediate well-being of their vulnerable residents and staff.
Also read: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Social distancing, self-isolation and quarantine explained
“The society is monitoring the situation closely and is guided by global and local information sources, including the World Health Organisation, regarding the spread of the virus.”
The following precautionary measures were implemented, according to Muthige:
1. The volunteer and community service programme was halted for the time being.
“This means, with immediate effect, all local volunteers and community service students will not be allowed inside the homes until further notice.”
2. Donors and external visitor tours of their facilities will not be permissible until further notice.
3. Residents’ next of kin (NoK) are requested to limit visits to the home and, where possible, keep in contact via telephone or email with the nursing sister on duty to check up on their family members.
“NoK visitors at both homes are to first report to the nursing sister’s office when visiting.
“No visitors are allowed to go into the wings or sections and NoK are requested to refrain from entering the home if they are not well,” said the communications officer.
4. The fête, which is the society’s annual fund-raising event, scheduled to take place on May 9, has been postponed until further notice due to the potential high risk of cross infection because of the volume of supporters that normally attend the event.
5. Additional controls and protocols have been implemented with regular communication and signage to enhance hygiene practices, such as washing and sanitising hands frequently throughout the day, and any ill staff members are advised to stay home and consult their health-care providers.
Also read: Washing hands with soap and water as opposed to cleaning them with hand sanitiser
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
