25 July 2022
Dear family member/resident representative,
Thank you for your support as we manage your loved one’s aged care centre in accordance with our outbreak management plan.
You might recall from my message to you late last week that, with six residents in Melaleuca and Grevillia wings testing positive for COVID-19, we began a program of precautionary testing for all other residents in those wings. This included a round of tests on Friday which were sent off-site to a laboratory for analysis.
Pleasingly, the results were all negative.
We continue to care for all residents in Melaleuca and Grevillia wings in their rooms, serving their meals and providing support with activities to suit a range of interests.
Residents diagnosed with COVID-19 are all stable, with mild to no symptoms and are being monitored closely.
To continue our program of early detection all residents in Grevillia and Melaleuca wings will be tested again today via the PCR method. As these tests are sent off-site to a laboratory for analysis, it can take at least 24 hours for us to receive the results.
I will provide you with another update on Wednesday when we hope to have those results, however if your loved one returns a positive result staff will contact you by phone to let you know.
As I indicated last week, some staff have also tested positive to the virus and they are continuing their recovery at home. We expect them to return to work as they reach their recovery criteria but meanwhile we continue to engage assistance from external agencies to support the centre.
Visiting, outings and the wearing of PPE
While the risk of COVID-19 transmission remains within the care centre the following arrangements remain in place.
Melaleuca and Grevillia wings
Both Grevillia and Melaleuca wings remain closed to all visitors, unless by special arrangement with the Care Manager.
All other areas of the care centre
As previously explained, you are asked to reconsider your visit to the care centre at this time or any plans to take your loved one out of the centre for an outing (other than for essential purposes).
If you do proceed with your visit please note the following details which remain in place:
- Two visitors per resident and by appointment only.
- Please do not bring children aged under 12 years to visit any area of the care centre.
- All visitors will be asked to complete a rapid antigen test and wait for the result before entering the care centre.
- All visitors must wear all necessary PPE while in the care centre including a P2/N95 mask and a face shield which will be provided on entry.
- Please wear your mask correctly and at all times (do not remove it while you are in your loved one’s room. It will not work unless you are wearing it properly all the time).
- Please put the mask and face shield in the specially marked bins as you leave the care centre.
- If you are visiting a close contact or someone who is COVID-19 positive you will also be asked to wear a gown. Please follow the instructions for putting it on and removing it safely.
- Please co-operate with staff if they ask you to adjust your PPE so that it is worn correctly. They are working to ensure the safety of everyone in the care centre and their efforts are made easier with your support.
As always please do 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.
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
