20 September 2022
Dear family member/resident representative,
Thank you for your support as we have managed the recent risk of COVID-19 on Level 4 of the Flametree building at your loved one’s aged care centre.
You might recall that following diagnosis of a resident with the virus two weeks ago, a number of other residents also returned positive results after we commenced our program of routine testing.
As they were diagnosed, residents transferred to our COVID-19 unit on Level 1 of the building where they continued their recovery, and we continued our program of routine testing for the remaining residents on Level 4.
Pleasingly, since writing to you late last week, no more residents have tested positive and a number of residents have recovered and returned to Level 4.
With this good news, the local public health unit has declared the outbreak over and given the go-ahead for a transition to regular operations and a resumption of resident activities on Level 4.
This includes a resumption of visiting arrangements for those visiting residents on Level 4; in line with the rest of the care centre.
Visiting arrangements
- There is no limit to the number of visitors (of any age) that a resident can have at any one time. Please be mindful of the surrounding environment and size of your loved one’s room.
- All visitors are asked to complete their own rapid antigen test at home or on arrival at the centre and provide proof of the negative result (photo or actual test). The stations at the care centre are self-serve so our staff can be more available to residents in their roles as carers.
- If a visitor is unable to complete their own rapid antigen test they will need to make an appointment at the care centre for the test to be conducted by staff prior to entry. Contact numbers for staff to assist are displayed at self-serve rapid antigen testing stations.
- Appointments for visits are not required, unless, as above, assistance is required with rapid antigen testing on entry.
- All visitors are to complete the wellness questionnaire on arrival. This includes confirmation that they have had at least 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and the 2022 influenza vaccine.
- All visitors must wear surgical masks when visiting a resident in their room or a P2N95 mask if visiting a resident in common areas (in this case, the Care Centre will provide visitors with the P2N95 mask).
- No cloth masks are permitted.
Please note: If you have had COVID-19 you must not enter an aged care centre until 10 days has passed from your diagnosis day, and you have no symptoms.
Further to the above, please do not visit your loved one if you are experiencing any symptoms 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 once again for your support.
Yours sincerely,
Nia Briguglio
EGM – Aged Care Centres
