23 September 2022
Dear family member/resident representative,
Over the past two weeks staff at your loved one’s aged care centre have been grateful for your support as they have managed the risk of COVID-19 in the Flinders East wing.
Since I last wrote to you all residents of that wing who had not been diagnosed with the virus, underwent another round of precautionary testing, and pleasingly all results were again negative.
All residents who had tested positive have now completed their recovery and, being free of the virus, are no longer required to limit their movement and are now able to leave their rooms.
While this is all good news we are required, in accordance with public health unit directions and our outbreak management plan, to complete another round of tests today for residents of Flinders East who haven’t tested positive.
We expect to receive the results over the weekend and if they are all negative, we anticipate receiving clearance from the local public health unit to begin our transition from outbreak management towards regular operations.
Until then we will maintain our vigilance to ensure the risk of transmission is minimised and begin our process of deep cleaning resident rooms and communal areas.
I am optimistic that my update to you on Monday will include details of a resumption of visiting arrangements for Flinders East, aligned with the rest of the care centre.
Until then however please note the following details which remain in place.
Visiting arrangements
Flinders East
Visiting residents is discouraged while the risk of COVID-19 transmission remains. However if you do wish to visit the arrangements outlined below apply.
- Residents are permitted 2 visitors only by appointment.
- No children under the age of 12 years are permitted to visit.
- All visitors are asked to show proof of a negative rapid antigen test before entering the care centre.
- All visitors are asked to wear all necessary PPE at all times while in the care centre including a P2/N95 mask and a face shield which will be provided on entry.
- Be aware of the risks. Those visiting a resident who is considered a close contact or is COVID-19 positive will also be asked to wear a gown and instructed on how to dispose of it safely.
- Please wear your PPE as instructed by staff. This is for your own protection and that of your loved one and all others living and working in the centre.
All other areas of the care centre
Visiting arrangements for all other areas of the aged care centre are outlined below.
- There is no limit to the number of visitors (of any age) that a resident can have at any one time. I do ask that you 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.
- 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.
If you are visiting after-hours and on the weekend, please be patient while waiting for staff to open the door. If they don’t respond immediately it is because they are caring for a resident, but will respond as soon as they are able.
As is always the case, 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 for your support.
Yours sincerely
Nia Briguglio
EGM – Aged Care Centres
