17 October 2021
Dear family member/resident representative,
Thank you for your ongoing support at this difficult time as we manage the COVID-19 outbreak in your loved one’s aged care centre.
As you know yesterday we were saddened by the news of one of our residents passing away. Following this news our residents and staff are coping as well as can be expected and are being supported when needed by our Welfare Officer, Paula Mammone who is at the care centre.
Of the results received so far from yesterday’s tests we have had positive results for two residents in Lyrebird, and one employee (who was also working in Lyrebird). All other results so far are negative. The two residents who are fully vaccinated have been moved upstairs to rooms in the area where other residents with the virus are located.
As I mentioned yesterday all residents and staff will be tested again today.
Residents diagnosed with COVID-19 remain stable. Some continue to experience 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.
There are currently 15 residents with COVID-19 at the Care Centre and six residents in Wollongong Hospital. We are in regular contact with the hospital and they report that all are stable.
Our work with Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District and other health authorities is ongoing, and we are doing everything possible to contain the virus.
Staying connected
Today our team will continue to contact nominated representatives of residents to provide updates. Please let them know if you have any specific concerns about your loved one.
Our Lifestyle team continues to engage with residents to provide them with activities and materials targeted at special interests such as; word and number puzzles, crosswords, magazines and jigsaw puzzles. They are also working to ensure all residents are assisted when needed to connect with family and friends via phone or video calls.
Today we have also arranged for a number of sound speakers to be located throughout the centre, through which we will be playing a variety of music for the enjoyment of residents.
Gifts and visiting
As previously advised, the centre remains closed to all visitors (except for those attending for end of life) and gifts can be dropped off between 10am – 11am and 1pm – 2pm each day, at the table outside reception. Please include your loved one’s name and do not send items that require refrigeration.
Ongoing communication
As the nominated representative of your love one, I will continue to update you via this daily email, and our team will continue to contact you by phone each day. I encourage you to pass on this information to other family contacts as appropriate.
A number of nominated representatives attended the Zoom session on Friday afternoon, which was coordinated by Seniors Rights Service. It was a great session which provided opportunity for a range of questions to be answered.
If you missed the session, I understand a recording of it will be made available in the coming week. I will let you know the details when available. In the session I was asked a number of questions including how many of our staff are vaccinated.
At the time I didn’t have the most recent data available, but can let you know now that of our 100 employees 90 of them are fully vaccinated, while 10 are awaiting their second dose (by 25 October all will be fully vaccinated).
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 patience and understanding.
Yours sincerely
Nia Briguglio
EGM – Aged Care Centres
