15 March 2023
Dear family member/resident representative,
I’m writing to provide you with an update as we manage the risk of COVID-19 at your loved one’s care centre.
I’m pleased to advise that two of our residents in Ribbonwood 1 who were previously diagnosed with COVID-19 have now reached their full recovery criteria and are free of the virus.
In further good news, two residents identified as close contacts in Ribbonwood 2 have continued to return negative COVID-19 test results and have no symptoms, so they too are able to come out of isolation today.
Unfortunately however, yesterday’s PCR tests have confirmed more residents to have the virus. We are now caring for 14 residents with COVID-19 at our care centre. One resident lives in Flametree Level 1, one lives in Ribbonwood 2, and 12 residents live in Ribbonwood 1.
Pleasingly, majority of our residents with COVID-19 are experiencing no symptoms at all and are regarded as stable as we care for them in their rooms.
Our resident who was transferred to Wollongong Public Hospital returned to our care centre last night, and we are monitoring him closely in consultation with his GP.
We continue to supply residents with activity packs to suit a range of interests, and assist them where needed to connect with friends and family via video and phone calls.
We will be doing another round of Rapid Antigen Tests tomorrow for residents in Ribbonwood 1 who have not already tested positive to the virus, as well as some residents in Ribbonwood 2 who have been identified as close contacts.
I will let you know when we receive the results of the tests. If your loved one returns a positive test result, staff will let you know by phone and continue to update you on their progress.
Visiting arrangements
While there is a risk of COVID-19 within Ribbonwood 1 and Ribbonwood 2, children under the age of 12 are not permitted to visit these areas of the care centre.
There are no other changes to the current visiting arrangements in place.
Please remember our visiting arrangements include the following:
- All visitors are asked to complete their own rapid antigen test at home or on arrival at the centre and provide proof of the negative result (photo or actual test).
- All visitors are to complete the wellness questionnaire at reception on arrival.
- All visitors are asked to wear all relevant PPE as directed by staff.
Remember if you are experiencing any symptoms or are feeling unwell, even if the symptoms are mild, please do not visit. Even if you have a negative COVID-19 test result you may still have another type of infection which is highly contagious.
Please pass this message on to others as you consider appropriate and if you have any questions please contact your Care Manager.
Thank you for your support.
Yours sincerely
Rebecca Perry
Operations Manager – Illawarra Aged Care Centres
