26 August 2022
Dear family member/resident representative,
I am pleased to be writing to you to today and to let you know that all of our residents who were earlier diagnosed with COVID-19 have reached their recovery criteria and are now able to leave their rooms to meet with others.
With this news and completion of another round of negative test results the local public health unit has advised we can begin our transition out of our outbreak management plan towards regular operations.
This means that all residents across the care centre are no longer required to remain in their rooms and are now able to meet with others in the common areas and dining rooms. The Lifestyle team is also looking forward to a resumption of activities across the centre as well as group outings.
From tomorrow visiting arrangements can also resume in accordance with the details outlined below. Resident outings may also resume. If you wish to take your loved one on an outing, please be aware of the risk of the virus within the broader community and where possible avoid areas where social distancing may not be possible.
Visiting arrangements
With the outbreak now officially resolved, visiting arrangements can resume as follows:
- There is no limit to the number of visitors (of any age) that a resident can have at any one time. I do ask that you be mindful of the surrounding environment and size of your loved one’s room.
- 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). The stations at the care centre are self-serve so our staff can be more available to residents in their roles as carers.
- If a visitor is unable to complete their own rapid antigen test they will need to make an appointment at the care centre for the test to be conducted by staff prior to entry. Contact numbers for staff to assist are displayed at self-serve rapid antigen testing stations.
- Unless, as above, assistance is required with rapid antigen testing on entry appointments for visits are no longer required.
- All visitors are to complete the wellness questionnaire on arrival. This includes confirmation that they have had at least 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and the 2022 influenza vaccine.
- All visitors must wear surgical masks when visiting a resident in their room or a P2N95 mask if visiting a resident in common areas (in this case, the Care Centre will provide visitors with the P2N95 mask).
- No cloth masks are permitted.
As always please do not visit your loved one if you are experiencing any symptoms or are feeling unwell, even if the symptoms are mild. If you have a negative COVID-19 test result but still have symptoms you may still have influenza or another virus which is highly contagious.
Thank you for your support as we have managed the outbreak of COVID-19 at your loved one’s aged care centre. Our staff have appreciated your patience and understanding as they have continued their focus on ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of all our residents.
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
