1 August 2022
Dear family member/resident representative,
Firstly I would like to thank you for your ongoing patience and support as we manage the COVID-19 outbreak at your loved one’s aged care centre.
Sadly since my update to you two of our residents who were diagnosed with COVID-19 early last month have passed away.
The residents who were in their 90s, will be missed by their friends and staff at IRT Sarah Claydon and on behalf of IRT I extend my condolences to their families.
Our thoughts today are of those residents and our reflections are on the connections they made with us and others during their time in our care.
PCR testing
We continue to work with the local public health unit to ensure the care centre is managed in accordance with our outbreak management plan and this includes the ongoing regime of precautionary testing.
Results of tests conducted since my last update to you have disappointingly confirmed another positive case in Meroo. We are now caring for two residents in that wing who have the virus, and to ensure we detect any further cases as early as possible all residents in that wing who haven’t tested positive will be tested again tomorrow.
Residents in all other areas of the care centre do not have to be tested.
In other news, all other residents elsewhere in the care centre who were diagnosed with COVID-19 have reached their recovery criteria.
We continue to encourage residents to limit their movement in and out of the care centre but acknowledge the need for some to extend their movement beyond their room or wing. In these cases staff are providing information to them about the risks and helping where possible with appropriate PPE if necessary.
Visiting arrangements
Unfortunately while the risk of transmission of the virus remains across the centre visits to the care centre are still strongly discouraged. If you do go ahead with your plans to visit, please assist staff with the following arrangements.
- 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 as directed by staff.
- Please wear your mask as instructed by staff. If a staff member asks you to adjust it they are doing so to protect you, your loved one, and all others living and working in the care centre.
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 co-operation.
Yours sincerely
Nia Briguglio
EGM – Aged Care Centres
