Rand Aid Association on reacted to the news that a national state of disaster had been declared as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak in South Africa.

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The day after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement, measures already implemented were strengthened to protect the residents and staff of Rand Aid’s retirement villages, care centres and substance abuse treatment centre from infection, including restricting non-essential visitor access.

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“As older persons face increased risks of complications from Covid-19, it was critical for Rand Aid to respond with urgency and the seriousness required,” said Peter Quinn, CEO Rand Aid situated on Modderfontein Road. The association has several retirement facilities in the Edenvale and Modderfontein areas including Inyoni Creek Retirement Village, Thornhill Manor, Elphin Lodge and Ron Smith Care Centre.

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“Frailty, underlying medical conditions and comorbidity, which is the presence of more than one disorder in the same person, increase the risks of older persons getting critically ill from the virus,” said Dr Carmella Mielke, who practises at Rand Aid’s Elphin Lodge Complex.

“Anyone over 65 is considered high risk by the World Health Organisation,” she said.

“It is for these reasons that we are taking the pandemic very seriously. While some of the measures we have implemented may be restrictive and inconvenient, they are very necessary if we are to minimise the impact of the virus on the Rand Aid community,” said Peter.

Measures will be assessed on a weekly basis and adapted based on medical advice.

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