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An update about IRT Woonona Aged Care Centre

5 August 2022

Dear family member/resident representative,

I am writing to provide you with an update about your loved one’s aged care centre as we manage it in accordance with our outbreak management plan, and to also let you know about changes to visiting arrangements.

Test results

Since writing to you on Wednesday we have received results of PCR tests carried out yesterday and some further cases of COVID-19 have been identified in the care centre.

In addition to the residents of Ribbonwood Level 2, who had already tested positive, another resident there has also been diagnosed with the virus. This brings the total number of residents with COVID-19 in that area of the care centre to 12 now which includes one resident who is continuing their recovery at our COVID-19 unit at Kirrawee (pleasingly one resident who was transferred to the COVID-19 unit has reached their recovery criteria and returned to the care centre).

Meanwhile, all residents of Flametree Level 2 were also tested after one resident developed minor symptoms, and the results have confirmed that eight residents of that area of the care centre have the virus.

Pleasingly results of tests conducted earlier this week for residents of the ground floor of Flametree building were negative.

All residents confirmed to have COVID-19 are stable and managing symptoms ranging from none at all to moderate and are being monitored closely as we care for them in their rooms.

Further testing and limited movement

With the risk of transmission within the entire care centre considered high, we have tested all residents of all areas today, and for now we are encouraging residents in the higher-risk areas to remain in their rooms where they will be served their meals. These areas are: Flametree Level 2, Ribbonwood Level 2, and includes Blueberry Ash where there has been a potential exposure.

Staff are supporting residents with their care needs, have distributed activity packs to suit a range of interests, and are providing assistance with phone and video calls where needed.

The tests were conducted via the PCR method and sent off site for laboratory analysis and all residents will be tested by the same method again tomorrow.

I will provide you with another update like this one on Monday but, if your loved one returns a positive result staff will contact you to let you know and keep you updated on their progress.

Restricted visiting

Until we have the results of tests conducted today and tomorrow and have a better understanding of the risk within the entire care centre all visiting is restricted to those who provide essential care only and by arrangement with the Care Manager.

All visits must be by arrangement with the Care Manager who asks that if you do enter the site that you please assist by completing your rapid antigen test according to instructions including waiting for 15 minutes for the test’s completion. If there is nobody in attendance to witness your result, please take a photo of the negative test as staff may ask you for proof.

I realise this will be disappointing for many but I appreciate your support with these arrangements while we work to ensure the safety and health of your loved one.

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

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