15 October 2021
Dear family member/resident representative,
I am writing to provide you with an update about your loved one’s aged care centre.
Yesterday, as I indicated, residents and staff were tested again for COVID-19. We have received the results for all residents with four further residents testing positive for the virus. We also had one further employee test positive.
One of the residents has received only one dose of the vaccine and was transferred to the hospital for monitoring.
We have been in touch with the nominated representatives of those residents.
Residents diagnosed with COVID-19 are stable. Some are experiencing a range of symptoms including a fever and cough while others are still relatively symptom-free. We continue to monitor them closely as well as all our other residents who have not tested positive and the day to day running of the aged care centre continues with care for all residents, including those who need extra care as they near the end of life.
Containing the virus
As I have mentioned before we continue to manage the centre in accordance with strict infection control protocols and in consultation with Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District and other health authorities.
With their input we continue to investigate all avenues for reducing the risk of the infection spreading within the centre and this has included a review of our air conditioning system. While we haven’t drawn any conclusions about the air conditioning system, today for the utmost caution, we have installed hospital grade air filters and scrubbers to further assist with air exchange, flow and purification.
Grouping of residents
As I indicated yesterday we have been in discussion with health authorities regarding the grouping of residents. Today we will be in touch with nominated representatives to discuss the transfer of some residents who do not have the virus to Lawrence Hargrave Hospital and the transfer back to the care centre of some of our residents who were earlier transferred to that hospital as well as Wollongong Hospital. If your loved one is one of these people I will call you today to discuss this. Some residents who still require monitoring for their existing health conditions will remain at Wollongong Hospital.
Testing again
All residents and staff will be tested again tomorrow and on Sunday.
Information session – today
The open information session for nominated representatives is on this afternoon at 3pm. The session, to be hosted via Zoom by the Seniors Rights Service, will allow you to ask questions and have them answered in a facilitated, open and informative forum.
To register for the session please go to the link below and follow the prompts. When you have registered Seniors Rights Service will provide you with a Zoom link for the session.
Our CEO, Patrick Reid and I will also attend the session. Please be aware that for privacy reasons we will not be able to answer questions about individual residents.
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/190752083617
Ongoing communication
Staff are helping where needed with phone and video calls to family and friends. Please let us know if you have any concerns about your loved one when talking to them.
As you are a nominated representative I will continue to update you, via this daily email and our team will continue to contact you by phone. Please pass on this information to other family contacts as you deem appropriate.
We are grateful to our residents for their patience and understanding as we care for them in their rooms and hope they are enjoying the daily treats delivered by the catering team. Treat bags were a popular item earlier in the week and residents can expect this again tomorrow.
Delivery of Gifts
Thank you for sending your gifts for our residents. Just another reminder about the process:
- Remember to include your loved one’s name on the gift so we can ensure it goes to the right person
- All items to be delivered between 10am – 11am or 1pm – 2pm
- All items to be placed on a table which has been positioned and is identified as the table for gift delivery outside reception
- Do not send items that require refrigeration
No visiting
As previously stated the centre remains closed to all visitors (other than those attending for end of life).
If you have any questions or concerns we would appreciate it if you called our Customer Service Team on 134 478.
Thank you for your ongoing understanding and support.
Yours sincerely
Nia Briguglio
EGM – Aged Care Centres
