8 September 2022
Dear family member/resident representative,
Thank you for your support as we continue to manage the risk of COVID-19 transmission in your loved one’s aged care centre.
I am pleased to let you know that the results of yesterday’s PCR tests conducted for residents of Flametree Level 1 were all negative, and today’s precautionary rapid antigen test results were also negative.
With this good news we have just one remaining COVID-19-positive resident of Flametree Level 1 who is recovering well, has no symptoms and is expected to reach their recovery criteria tomorrow.
All residents of Flametree Level 1 will be tested again on Saturday (PCR method) and if all results are negative, this will be the last round of tests as we begin our transition to regular operations.
This will follow clearance from the local public health unit. Until then however we continue to manage the care centre in accordance with our outbreak management plan and there are no changes to the arrangements in place for visitors.
Visiting – River Rose
If you wish to visit your loved one in the River Rose area of the Flametree building please contact the Care Centre to discuss your plans and you will be guided on how to make it as safe as possible.
Visiting – all other areas
- 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.
I will provide you with another update early next week when I hope to have news of the formal closure of the outbreak at your loved one’s aged care centre.
Please pass this message on to others as you consider appropriate and if you have any questions please contact your Care Manager.
Thank you once again for your support.
Yours sincerely,
Nia Briguglio
EGM – Aged Care Centres
