2 September 2022
Dear family member/resident representative,
Thank you for your ongoing support and patience as we manage the outbreak of COVID-19 at your loved one’s aged care centre.
In my last update I let you know that a resident on Flametree Level 1 had tested positive. The resident is managing mild symptoms and all other residents on that floor including those who are considered to be close contacts are well without COVID-19 symptoms. The results of PCR tests conducted since my last update to you have also been pleasingly negative.
In other good news all residents except one in Peppertree wing of the Ground Floor who had been diagnosed with the virus have reached their recovery criteria and by tomorrow we expect the remaining resident to be deemed recovered.
Further testing
Although the last round of tests were negative, we will continue for the utmost caution, our regime of testing for early detection. Another round of PCR tests for residents in Flametree Level 1 and Flametree Ground Floor, (one resident only) who have not already tested positive, will take place tomorrow.
Also in keeping with directions from the local public health unit, residents on Flametree Level 1 will also be tested via rapid antigen test today. This is an added precaution applied when, despite encouragement, residents are not able to isolate in their rooms.
I will provide you with another update early next week when I hope to have news of the process for transition out of our outbreak management plan.
Revised visiting arrangements
River Rose
If you choose to visit this wing at this time, please be aware that the risk of COVID-19 remains in this area. We are aware though, that this coming Sunday is Father’s Day and you may still wish to proceed with your plans to visit your loved one. If you do want to visit, please contact the Care Centre to discuss your plans and you will be guided on how to make it as COVID-19-safe as possible.
All other areas of the care centre
We are pleased to let you know that from Sunday visiting arrangements for all other areas of the care centre will resume as follows:
- 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.
- Unless, as above, assistance is required with rapid antigen testing on entry appointments for visits are no longer required.
- 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 that the reduced isolation period from 7 days to 5 days, as publicly announced earlier this week, does not apply to people visiting an aged care centre. If you have had COVID-19 you must not enter an aged care centre until 7 days has passed from your diagnosis day, and 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 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 again for your co-operation.
Yours sincerely
Nia Briguglio
EGM – Aged Care Centres
