14 July 2022
Dear family member/resident representative,
I am writing to let you know that some residents in your loved one’s aged care centre have tested positive to COVID-19.
Following confirmation yesterday that two residents were confirmed to have the virus, all residents were tested; with the results showing another 12 residents also have COVID-19.
The residents are from across the centre (more than one floor) and are being cared for in their rooms as they manage a range of mild to moderate symptoms such as sore throat, cough and fever.
In response we have implemented our outbreak management plan including best practice infection control measures in order to minimise the risk of the virus spreading within the care centre.
We are now in consultation with the local Public Health Unit and the GPs of those residents who have tested positive, to ensure appropriate treatment such as anti-viral medication is available if required.
All residents in the centre have been asked to remain in their rooms where they will be served their meals and regularly checked for symptoms.
The Lifestyle team is also supporting them with activity packs to suit a range of interests, and providing help when needed with phone or video calls to friends or relatives.
To ensure early detection of any other cases, all residents will be tested tomorrow via the PCR method; where samples are sent off-site for laboratory analysis. These results can take up to 24 hours but if your loved one returns a positive test result we will let you know by phone.
Visiting arrangements
Until we have the results of tomorrow’s tests for residents we have reluctantly closed the centre to all visitors, unless by special arrangement with the Care Manager. All residents are also advised not to leave the centre unless for essential reasons such as medical appointments.
Vaccination rates
You may be interested to know that of the 37 residents in the care centre, 95% have received 2 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and 29% have received a third dose.
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 co-operation.
Yours sincerely
Nia Briguglio
EGM – Aged Care Centres
