16 August 2022
Dear family member/resident representative,
Thank you for your support as we manage the risk of COVID-19 at your loved one’s aged care centre.
Unfortunately since writing to you last week we had two more residents test positive to COVID-19. We are now caring for five residents with the virus and all are being monitored closely as they experience symptoms ranging from very mild to none at all.
I’d also like to confirm that our five COVID-19-positive residents are located in the Serenity and Vitality Wings of the care centre, and not in Nelligen Wing and Bateman House as previously advised. I do apologise for any confusion this may have caused.
We continue to encourage all residents across the care centre to remain in their rooms where staff are supporting them with their care needs, serving their meals and supplying activity packs to suit a range of interests.
We are continuing with our program of testing for early detection and will be doing another round of PCR tests tomorrow for all residents (except for those who have already tested positive). These tests are sent offsite for laboratory analysis and it can take up to 24 hours for us to receive the results.
I will provide you with another update later this week which will include the results of tomorrow’s tests. As previously explained, if your loved one returns a positive result, staff will let you know by phone and continue to update you on their progress.
Visiting arrangements
As we continue to manage the risk of COVID-19 at the centre, visiting is strongly discouraged at this time, however if you do wish to continue with your plans to visit, the following arrangements remain in place:
- Residents are permitted 2 visitors only by appointment.
- No children under the age of 12 years are permitted to visit.
- All visitors are asked to show proof of a negative rapid antigen test before entering the care centre.
- All visitors are asked to wear a P2/N95 mask when visiting and other PPE as directed by staff.
- Please wear your PPE as instructed by staff. If a staff member asks you to adjust it they are doing so to protect you, your loved one, and all others living and working in the care centre.
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 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
