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An update about IRT Woonona Aged Care Centre

6 September 2022

Dear family member/resident representative,

I am writing to provide you with an update about the COVID-19 outbreak at your loved one’s aged care centre. It has been some time now since we had our first resident test positive and I am grateful for your support and patience as we have worked to minimise the risk of transmission throughout the centre.

We are now caring for only one resident with the virus in Flametree Level 1. They are experiencing very few symptoms and are on track to reach their recovery and isolation period at the end of this week. 

Results of all tests conducted on residents since my last update to you have continued to be negative, which is pleasing news. We will continue our precautionary testing regime this week with rapid antigen tests today and PCR tests tomorrow for residents of Flametree Level 1 who have not tested positive.

No other residents require testing.

Until we have clearance from the local public health unit we continue to manage the care centre in accordance with our outbreak management plan with a number of restrictions and protocols still in place for Flametree Level 1.

We remain optimistic however, that if results from our routine testing continue to be negative, by the end of this week we will have clearance to begin our transition towards regular operations in that area.

Elsewhere in the care centre regular operations have resumed including unrestricted visiting as outlined below. For information about COVID-19-safe visiting to residents in River Rose please contact the Care Manager.

Visiting arrangements – all areas except River Rose

  • 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.

As previously explained, if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 you must not enter an aged care centre until 10 days has passed since you tested positive, and only if you have no symptoms.

If you are experiencing any symptoms or are feeling unwell even if you have a negative COVID-19 test result please do not visit. 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

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