3 August 2022
Dear family member/resident representative,
I am writing to provide you with an update about your loved one’s aged care centre and am pleased to let you know that all residents of Greenfields and McLean houses recently diagnosed with COVID-19 have now reached their recovery criteria.
All residents in both houses are now able to leave their rooms to socialise together in their common areas, and activities in the areas are expected to re-commence in the coming days.
This follows yesterday’s testing of all residents (other than those already positive) in Greenfields, McLean and Sanctuary houses; the results for which have been received and all were negative.
We are now caring for seven residents in Sanctuary house as they recover from the virus with symptoms ranging from mild to none at all.
Staff are supporting them in their area and where possible encouraging them to remain in their rooms, where they are being served their meals.
The Lifestyle team is also providing support with distribution of activity packs, and assistance where needed with phone and video calls.
There is only one resident in Sanctuary house who has not tested positive and they will be tested again tomorrow.
I will provide you with another update on Friday when we hope to have news of more of our residents reaching their recovery criteria.
While we seem to have turned a corner with a reduced number of positive cases in the care centre, we have not dropped our guard and continue to work in accordance with our outbreak management plan with strict infection controls still in place.
Visiting arrangements
I do appreciate the current circumstances may be challenging, but as we continue to manage the risk of COVID-19 transmission in the centre the following arrangements remain in place:
Sanctuary House
This house is closed to all visitors except for those who assist with essential care or by special arrangement with the Care Manager.
All other areas of the care centre
Visiting arrangements
Visiting is still strongly discouraged. As previously explained however, if you do go ahead with your plans to visit please assist staff with 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 as directed by staff.
- Please wear your mask and any other PPE 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.
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 support.
Yours sincerely
Nia Briguglio
EGM – Aged Care Centres
