2 August 2022
Dear family member/resident representative,
Thank you for your ongoing support as we manage the risk of COVID-19 at your loved one’s aged care centre.
You may recall from my update on Friday that we have been caring for some residents in Cambewarra, Coolangatta and Callala Houses with COVID-19.
As part of our program of early detection, all residents who had not yet tested positive in Cambewarra, Coolangatta and Callala Houses were again tested for the virus via the PCR method over the weekend. Pleasingly, all results were negative.
I’m also glad to let you know we’ve had four more residents reach their recovery criteria which now brings Cambewarra House out of isolation. All residents in this house are now free to leave their rooms and resume normal activities.
We are now caring for a total of five residents with COVID-19 in Coolangatta and Callala Houses and all residents are stable with symptoms ranging from none at all to very mild. Pleasingly, three of these residents are expected to reach their full recovery criteria tomorrow, pending a final review.
All residents in Coolangatta and Callala Houses are still being encouraged to remain in their rooms where staff provide support with their care needs; activities to suit a range of interests, and help where needed to connect with family and friends by phone or video calls.
Our next round of precautionary testing for residents who have not yet tested positive in Coolangatta and Callala Houses will be tomorrow and we do appreciate the support and understanding from our residents with this process.
I will provide another update when we receive the results of tomorrow’s tests. 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.
Visiting arrangements
Coolangatta and Callala House
While the risk of virus transmission remains, these two houses are closed to visitors unless special arrangements are made 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:
- All visits are by appointment only – please call the care centre in advance to arrange your visit.
- Two visitors per resident.
- 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 PPE 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
