27 July 2022
Dear family member/resident representative,
Thank you for your support as we continue to manage the risk of COVID-19 in your loved one’s aged care centre.
In my update to you on Monday, I let you know we were continuing to care for some residents in the Melaleuca and Grevillia wings as they made their recovery from the virus. They are experiencing few if any symptoms and we expect them to reach their full recovery criteria by Friday this week.
Residents are deemed recovered ten days after testing positive and a further 24 hours without symptoms.
As part of our program of early detection, all other residents in those wings were tested again on Monday via the PCR method and all results were negative.
With these pleasing results and the continued recovery of our residents from the virus, the local public health unit advised that the outbreak in the Melaleuca and Grevillia wings can be formally resolved at midnight tomorrow, 28 July (pending no further cases).
In preparation for this, and the utmost caution, we will be conducting another round of PCR tests on residents in the Melaleuca and Grevillia wings this afternoon. If we do not receive the results before midnight tomorrow, we will ensure all residents are tested via the rapid antigen testing method to confirm resolution of the outbreak.
If all results are negative, we will begin our transition to regular operations on Friday morning, with regular visiting arrangements to resume from next week.
Visiting arrangements
Until the outbreak is formally resolved and the transition to normal operations is complete, we encourage you to postpone your visit. If you still wish to please be aware of the following arrangements:
- Two visitors per resident and by appointment only.
- No children under the age of 12 permitted.
- 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
