Tafta’s response to concerning Covid-19 cases and elders protesting lockdown

THE Association for the Aged (Tafta) has confirmed a third positive Covid-19 case amongst its elderly.

In a social media post, the association confirmed that a resident at the Tafta Park Care Cottage in the south of Durban, had been found to be Covid-19 positive following an admission to a private hospital in Durban on Tuesday, 23 June.

“As part of the hospital’s pre-admission procedure, the elder, in her 80’s, was tested and results confirmed her positive status. She will remain in the hospital. Three care staff, two kitchen staff and the home’s sister, together with the eight frail elders in the care cottage have been put into immediate isolation for testing, and screening will begin immediately in the park. The home will also immediately go into lockdown and the Department of Health have been contacted for further assistance. These recent developments are devastating to Tafta and we appeal for the support of the community through thoughts and prayer as we navigate this difficult time,” reads the post.

This is the third Covid-19 case identified at a Tafta facility to date.

Following the diagnosis of the second positive Covid-19 case in the Tafta owned care facility, the Langeler Towers and John Conradie House complex, an emergency meeting was held with residents of the complex on Wednesday, 23 June 2020, where they were informed of management’s decision to lockdown the facility at the advice of visiting Department of Health officials, in order to isolate infection within the facility and prevent the spread of the virus both within the home and outside the home, through the movement of residents and visitors in and out of the building.

“Elders were provided with an opportunity to ask questions and were also provided with a written letter explaining what was discussed in the meeting and were given a grace period until when the facility would stop all movement into, and out of the home for the foreseeable future in order to contain the spread of the virus. This ruling included residents who are currently working,” explained Tafta CEO Femada Shamam.

The communication to residents also states that those residents not wishing to comply were asked to seek temporary accommodation until the lockdown period was lifted.

“This was necessary as the management continues its screenings and track and trace processes and while we await the results of elders who were tested and placed in isolation last week already,” explained Shamam.

Unfortunately, following this announcement, Shamam and building management have been inundated with threats by a group of dissenting residents who wish to continue living at the facility and continue going out to work and on other errands on a daily basis, opening up other residents within the home to further risk in an aged care residential facility where infection is already present.

“These individuals continue to seek the support of media and have threatened us with legal action, as well as intimidated staff on duty, attempting to protect other residents in the building. This is a building complex with adjoining assisted living, independent living and frail care facilities. While some residents do not share communal facilities, many of the individuals wishing to leave and re-enter the home on a daily basis do share accommodation with others and we cannot allow them to risk the well-being of other, isolating elders abiding by the rules of lockdown.

“We have already addressed their concerns around access to finances and have already explained that we would be willing to assist those in need with letters to employers to explain the need for isolation, but they continue to harass and intimidate staff. We will not allow this situation to continue and we will continue with plans to implement a lockdown in the interest of the vast majority of elders in this building with whose care we have been entrusted,” Shamam said.

Should you have any queries regarding friends or family members residing at the facility, contact the management team of the relevant home or email intake@tafta.org.za

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

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. For any comments or queries, contact the National Group Editor, Irma Green at irma@caxton.co.za or the Legal Adviser, Helene Eloff at  helene@caxton.co.za.

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