Important information about IRT Tarrawanna Aged Care Centre

4 May 2023

Dear family member/resident representative,

I’m writing to provide you with an update as we manage the risk of COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) at your loved one’s aged care centre.

Firstly, I’m saddened to share that one of our residents who had tested positive to COVID-19 was transferred to Wollongong Hospital yesterday with other health-related matters and passed away.

On behalf of everyone at IRT I would like to pass on my sincere condolences to the resident’s family members and friends, including our Tarrawanna residents and staff who are also deeply saddened by this resident’s passing.

While our staff may be experienced in caring for our residents at the end of their life, the importance of each resident to their loved ones and friends, and the life they have led, is never lost on them. I know as they go about their work today, like me, they will be thinking about that resident and the contribution they made to this world.

COVID-19 update

We have received the results of our last round of tests and pleasingly all were negative.

In further good news, we had another resident who previously tested positive to COVID-19 reach their full recovery criteria yesterday, meaning they’re now free of the virus. We are also expecting some more residents to reach their full recovery criteria tomorrow, pending a final review.

We continue to care for a small number of residents with COVID-19 in Lyrebird who are experiencing symptoms ranging from none at all to mild, such as a cough and nasal congestion.

We will be conducting another round of PCR tests on Sunday 7 May 2023 for residents in Lyrebird who have not already tested positive to COVID-19. All other residents do not have to be tested and we will let you know when we receive the results.

RSV update

We continue to care for one resident with RSV in Rosella and, other than experiencing a cough and nasal congestion, they are regarded as stable. At this stage, all of the other residents in Rosella remain asymptomatic.

Visiting arrangements

While we manage the risk of COVID-19 and RSV 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 which will be provided on entry.
• Those visiting a resident who is considered a close contact or is COVID-19/RSV-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 not permitted to visit.

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.

As always 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.

Kind regards,

Rebecca Perry
Operations Manager – Illawarra Aged Care Centres