Important information about IRT Tarrawanna Aged Care Centre

9 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, and to share the details of two meetings you’re invited to this week.

COVID-19 update

We have received the results of our last round of tests and pleasingly all were negative. In further good news, all residents in Lyrebird who previously tested positive to COVID-19 have reached their full recovery criteria and are now free of the virus. This means we no longer have any residents with COVID-19 in this area of the care centre.

Unfortunately, however, a resident in Kookaburra recently contracted COVID-19 while in hospital for other health-related matters, and we are monitoring them closely as we care for them in their room.

Our next round of PCR tests will be on Friday 12 May for residents in Lyrebird who have not already tested positive to COVID-19. All other residents, including those in Kookaburra, do not have to be tested and we will let you know when we receive the results.

RSV update

We are carting for two residents with RSV in Rosella and, other than experiencing some mild symptoms, both 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 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.

Meetings to go ahead this week

I’m pleased to advise that this week’s Residents and Relatives Meeting and Food Focus Meeting will proceed on Thursday 11 May. The details are as follows:

What: Residents and Relatives Meeting
Date: Thursday 11 May 2023
Location: Therapy Room – ground floor
Time: 10.30am

The Food Focus Meeting will follow the Residents and Relatives Meeting.

No RSVP is required but if you would like to reply or have any queries, please email tarrawanna@irt.org.au.

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