Important information about IRT William Beach Gardens Aged Care Centre

4 May 2023

Dear family member/resident representative,

I am writing to provide you with an update as we manage the risk of COVID-19 at your loved one’s care centre.

We’ve received the results of our last round of tests which have unfortunately confirmed two more residents to have the virus.

In some good news, however, our resident who was transferred to Wollongong Hospital for further assessment and treatment of their symptoms has returned and, other than experiencing a sore throat, is regarded as stable.

We continue to care for a small number of residents with COVID-19 in both Kembla Cottage and Elouera Cottage and are we monitoring them closely in consultation with their GPs.

As part of our ongoing testing regime, we will be doing another round of PCR tests on Friday 5 May 2023 for residents in Kembla and Elouera Cottages who have not already tested positive to the virus. All other residents do not have to be tested.

I will provide you with another update next week when we receive the test results. If your loved one returns a positive result, staff will let you know by phone and continue to provide you with a daily update regarding their progress.

Visiting arrangements

Kembla Cottage and Elouera Cottage

We encourage you to reconsider any planned visits to these two areas of the care centre at this time.

If you do wish to proceed with your visit, you may be asked to wear additional PPE, such as a P2/N95 mask.

Children under the age of 12 are strongly discouraged from visiting these two areas of the care centre at this time.

All other areas of the care centre

There are no other changes to the current visiting arrangements in place.

Please remember our visiting arrangements include the following:

• All visitors are asked to complete their own rapid antigen test at home or on arrival at the centre and provide proof of the negative result (photo or actual test).
• All visitors are to complete the wellness questionnaire at reception on arrival.
• All visitors are asked to wear all relevant PPE as directed by staff.

Remember if you are experiencing any symptoms or are feeling unwell, even if the symptoms are mild, please do not visit. Even if you have a negative COVID-19 test result you may still have another type of infection 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.

Rebecca Perry
Operations Manager – Illawarra Aged Care Centres