20 March 2023
Dear family member/resident representative,
I’m writing to provide you with an update as we manage the risk of COVID-19 at your loved one’s care centre.
Firstly, I’m pleased to advise that majority of residents who were previously diagnosed with COVID-19 have now reached their full recovery criteria and are free of the virus.
In further good news, we have received the results of our last round of Rapid Antigen Tests and all were negative.
We continue to care for three residents with COVID-19 in Ribbonwood 1. The residents are experiencing symptoms ranging from none at all to mild, including lethargy, as we care for them in their rooms.
We continue to supply residents with activity packs to suit a range of interests, and assist them where needed to connect with friends and family via video and phone calls.
We will be doing another round of PCR tests today for residents in Ribbonwood 1 who have not already tested positive to the virus, as well as some residents in Ribbonwood 2 who have been identified as close contacts.
I will let you know when we receive the results of the tests. If your loved one returns a positive test result, staff will let you know by phone and continue to update you on their progress.
Visiting arrangements
While there is a risk of COVID-19 within Ribbonwood 1, children under the age of 12 are not permitted to visit this area 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.
Yours sincerely
Rebecca Perry
Operations Manager – Illawarra Aged Care Centres
