An update about IRT Sarah Claydon Aged Care Centre

9 August 2022

Dear family member/resident representative,

Thank you for your support as we manage the risk of COVID-19 in Meroo at your loved one’s aged care centre.

Since writing to you last week, I’m pleased to let you know that one of our residents in Meroo who was previously diagnosed with COVID-19 has reached their full recovery criteria and is now free of the virus.

We are now caring for one resident with the virus in Meroo and they are expected to reach their full recovery criteria tomorrow, pending a final review.

We have also received the results of our last round of PCR tests and I’m glad to report that all were negative.

In what we hope will be the last round; precautionary PCR testing for the residents in Meroo who have not already tested positive will take place tomorrow.

I will provide you with another update when we receive the results of these tests, as well as advice from the local public health unit about when we can begin our transition back to regular operations.  

Visiting arrangements

Until we have the results of tomorrow’s tests, and further guidance from the local public health unit, visiting to the care centre is still strongly discouraged. As previously explained however, if you do go ahead with your plans to visit, the following arrangements are in place:

• 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. Please do not enter the site until you have completed the test according to instructions, including waiting for 15 minutes for the test’s completion. If there is nobody in attendance to witness your result, please take a photo of the negative test as staff may ask you for proof.
• 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 do not visit if you are experiencing any symptoms at all, or are feeling unwell. 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 co-operation.

Yours sincerely

Nia Briguglio

EGM – Aged Care Centres