27 October 2022
Dear family member/resident representative,
Thank you for your support as we manage Level 3 of your loved one’s aged care centre in accordance with our outbreak management plan.
You might recall from my earlier messages to you, that a small number of residents on Level 3 were diagnosed with COVID-19 after precautionary testing. Two of those residents have since reached their recovery criteria, having experienced few, if any symptoms.
Since writing to you on Monday all residents of Level 3 have been tested twice in accordance with our program of testing for early detection.
The results of those tests have confirmed another three residents to have COVID-19. They too, appear to have few, if any symptoms, however in consultation with their GP and family have commenced anti-viral medication and are being monitored regularly.
All residents on Level 3 will be tested again tomorrow. I will provide another update like this one early next week, but if your loved one returns a positive result staff will let you know by phone and will continue to provide you with daily updates on their progress.
Requirements during an outbreak
As indicated above, in response to this we have implemented our outbreak management plan which includes a comprehensive range of infection control protocols and requirements for staff, residents and their visitors.
Residents
To ensure the risk of transmission is reduced all residents on Level 3 are strongly urged to remain in their room. If you are visiting your loved one I ask that you assist by only visiting them in their room, and encouraging them to remain there, where they will be served all meals, and supported by staff with all their care needs.
Residents who are deemed recovered are able to leave their room, while wearing a mask for a designated period of time after their recovery.
Staff
You and your loved one will notice staff wearing additional PPE, and in some circumstances gowns and gloves. To further reduce the risk of transmission to other areas of the care centre, staff are restricted to working in designated areas and instructed on the protocols of removing their PPE when leaving Level 3. There are many other elements of the outbreak management plan that our staff work in accordance with, each day.
Visitors – Level 3
If your loved one is on Level 3 you are strongly discouraged from visiting, but if you choose to visit them at this time of increased risk of infection, please visit them only in their room and follow the requirements outlined below, including the important instructions regarding the wearing of additional PPE.
- Residents are permitted 2 visitors only by appointment.
- No children under the age of 12 years are permitted to visit.
- All visitors are asked to show proof of a negative rapid antigen test before entering the care centre. If you do your test at home take a photo of it with your phone to show us on arrival.
- All visitors are asked to wear all necessary PPE at all times while in the care centre including a P2/N95 mask and face shield which will be provided on entry.
- Please wear your PPE as instructed by staff. If a staff member asks you to adjust it or points out to you that you are wearing the incorrect mask, they are doing so to protect you, your loved one, and all others living and working in the care centre.
- Anyone visiting a resident who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 will be instructed on what additional PPE is required.
Visiting elsewhere at the Care Centre
Regular visiting arrangements apply to all other areas of the care centre except Level 3.
As I have previously mentioned please do not visit your loved one if you are experiencing any symptoms or are feeling unwell, even if the symptoms are mild. Even if you have a negative COVID-19 test result you may still have influenza or another contagious virus.
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
Nia Briguglio
EGM – Aged Care Centres
