Tafta grapples resurgence of Covid-19 infections
Tafta has entered into the year on a sad note with a spate of new infections at their homes.
THE Association of the Aged (Tafta) entered into the year on a sad note with a spate of new infections at their homes.
“The newer strain of the coronavirus has taken hold fast, with the infection spreading at a rapid rate once it enters our homes. Since the start of the pandemic in South Africa, we have recorded a total of 144 Covid positive cases among elders and staff.
“We have sadly lost 17 elders and one staff member to the disease, but are extremely grateful for the recovery of 67 elders and 36 staff. There are currently 20 active cases among our elders and three active staff cases,” shared Tafta CEO, Femada Shamam. After weeks of attempting to secure a sanitising partner, the association is thankful for the return of the Scientology Volunteer Ministry team which will disinfect its buildings.
“From this week, they will again be conducting regular sanitising. We are also in constant contact with the department of health to assist with contact tracing and screening when new cases arrive. We also rely on the Department to conduct Covid-19 tests as per their availability in the context of a health crisis affecting the entire population.”
The vast majority of elders in Tafta’s care have a very limited income. Many have only a state pension. Hence as a NPO, the organisation is dependent on the department of health to assist with testing, and are extremely grateful to them, as well as our donors and sponsors, who have come to their aid since March 2020, to assist with the expense of managing the spread of the virus in the homes.
“We are desperate to halt this scourge of infection in our homes and appeal to family members and others not to visit any of our facilities, in the interest of mitigating further risk to vulnerable elders.
“We have active cases at: Tafta Park (four elders), Tafta on Ridge (nine elders and two staff members), John Conradie House/Langeler Towers (four residents and one staff member), Kings Hall (one elder), Tafta Lodge (one elder) and Lucas Gardens (one elder),” said Shamam.
If you have any queries regarding friends or family members residing at the affected facilities, contact the management team of the home or email intake@tafta.org.za
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