02 June 2023
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.
Since my last update to you earlier this week we have had several residents who have now met their recovery criteria and are free of the virus, and we expect a number of other residents to reach their recovery criteria from tomorrow and deisolate over the weekend. With this pleasing news, the Public Health Unit has declared that residents in Banksia (except for the four remaining positive cases in this wing) are able to come out of isolation meaning they are free to move around the care centre and do not require any further testing.
We are currently caring for eight residents with COVID-19 in Shoalhaven Court and the Branson, Evans, Banksia wings. The residents are regarded as stable and we are monitoring them closely in consultation with their GPs.
We will continue with our ongoing testing regime to ensure early detection of any other cases. This involves testing residents in the affected areas every two-to-three days, as well as residents in other parts of the care centre who may have been identified as close-contacts.
As I’ve explained previously, if your loved one returns a positive result, we will let you know by phone and continue to provide you with a daily update regarding their progress.
Visiting arrangements
While we manage the risk of COVID-19 at the centre, you are encouraged to postpone your visit at this time. If you do continue with your plans to visit, the following arrangements apply:
- All visitors will be asked to wear a P2/N95 mask and a face shield at all times and in all places while in the care centre, including in residents’ rooms. This will be provided on entry.
- Those visiting a resident who is considered a close contact or is COVID-19-positive will also be asked to wear a gown and instructed on how to dispose of it safely.
- Children under the age of 12 are strongly discouraged from visiting at this time.
All other visiting arrangements, including the requirement to provide proof of a negative rapid antigen test result on arrival, continue to apply. You can find more information about our visiting arrangements on our website here.
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.
Kind regards,
Linzi Kells
Operations Manager – Shoalhaven Aged Care Centres
