25 July 2022
Dear family member/resident representative,
Thank you for your support and understanding as we manage the risk of COVID-19 in your loved one’s aged care centre.
As you know we are currently caring for some residents in the Cambewarra and Coolangatta Houses who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. We have since had one resident in Currarong test positive on a rapid antigen test yesterday, and we are currently awaiting the PCR result.
To ensure we detected any other cases as early as possible residents in those houses were tested on the weekend, with results showing another four residents to have the virus.
We now have nine residents with COVID-19 and all are generally stable, and managing symptoms ranging from mild to none at all. We are monitoring them closely as we care for them in their rooms. All other residents in those houses are also being encouraged to remain in their rooms where staff are supporting them with their care needs, and activities to suit a range of interests.
The care centre is being managed in accordance with our outbreak management plan with all infection prevention controls in place, and we continue to consult with the local public health unit and resident GPs as required.
To continue our program of early detection, all residents will be tested again today and we expect to receive results up to 24 hours later. As previously explained, if your loved one returns a positive result, staff will let you know by phone, and a member of staff will continue to provide you with a daily update regarding their progress.
I will provide my next update to you later in this week, which will include the results of our next round of testing.
Visiting arrangements
Coolangatta, Cambewarra and Currarong House
While the risk of virus transmission remains in these houses they are closed to all visitors, unless by special arrangement with the Care Manager.
All other areas of the care centre
As previously explained, you are strongly discouraged from visiting at this time. If you do proceed with your plans to visit please be aware of the following:
- Two visitors per resident and by appointment only.
- No children under the age of 12 years.
- All visitors are asked to show proof of a negative rapid antigen test before entering the care centre.
- All visitors are asked to wear a P2/N95 mask when visiting and other PPE (which could include a face shield) as directed by staff.
- Please wear your mask as instructed by staff.
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 virus 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
Nia Briguglio
EGM – Aged Care Centres
