25 July 2022
Dear family member/resident representative,
Thank you for your support as we manage the risk of COVID-19 in your loved one’s aged care centre.
As you are aware last week, we implemented our outbreak management plan in response to a number of residents testing positive for COVID-19. This included a range of infection control measures, movement restrictions and precautionary testing of all residents in affected areas of the care centre.
Since writing to you last week, we have received results of further precautionary testing, with results confirming we now have eleven residents with the virus. All are in Greenfields, McLean and Sanctuary houses.
They are being monitored closely as staff care for them in their rooms. Their symptoms range from none at all, to mild; and where appropriate their GP has prescribed anti-viral medication.
All other residents in those cottages are being encouraged to remain in their rooms, where they are being served their meals and assisted where needed with phone and video calls.
Over the weekend treat bags containing a range of sweet and savoury snacks were distributed for their enjoyment as well as activity packs which include puzzles like crosswords, sudoku and trivia quizzes.
To continue our program of testing for early detection, all residents in both cottages who have not yet tested positive, will again be tested tomorrow. As an additional precaution residents of Sanctuary House will also be tested as there may have been a potential exposure of the virus to residents there earlier this week.
All residents will be tested again tomorrow and I will provide you with another update when we receive those results. If your loved one returns a positive result staff will be in touch with you by phone and continue to update you on their progress.
Visiting arrangements
As previously outlined, the following visiting arrangements remain in place.
Greenfield, McLean and Sanctuary House
Until further notice these two areas are 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 at this time is strongly discouraged but if you do wish to visit, the following arrangements apply:
- 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 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.
Staying connected
To connect via video calls, and if you haven’t done so already, you may wish to download to your mobile phone or tablet, our app, IRT Connect. Search for it in your app store, and log in using your mobile phone number. Go to this link to find out more and to book a video call with your loved one please contact our Customer Service Team on 134 478.
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
