20 June 2022
Dear family member/resident representative,
Thank you for your support as we manage your loved one’s aged care centre in accordance with our outbreak management plan.
As I indicated to you on Friday, all residents (except those who have already tested positive) in Cockatoo and Kingfisher wings were tested for COVID-19 again on Saturday.
We have received the results and pleasingly all were negative. In other pleasing news we are looking forward to welcoming back today, the last of our residents who transferred to our COVID-19 unit in Kirrawee, and some more residents at the care centre have reached their recovery criteria.
We are now caring for six residents at the Kingfisher and Cockatoo wings as they continue their recovery, with one resident experiencing challenging symptoms. We continue to monitor the recovering residents and consult with their GP as required.
As the risk of the virus remains within the centre, we continue to encourage residents in Cockatoo and Kingfisher wings to remain in their rooms when possible, and avoid moving about within the building.
In our continued effort to capture any other positive cases early, residents (who haven’t already tested positive) will be tested again tomorrow using the PCR method.
I will provide you with another update later in the week when we have the results.
Visiting arrangements
Until we have confidence in the complete recovery of our residents, the care centre continues to be managed according to our outbreak management plan with relevant infection control protocols in place.
For this reason we encourage you to reconsider your need to visit but if you do continue with your plans the following arrangements apply:
- Children under 12 years of age are not permitted to visit.
- Residents are permitted 2 visitors only by appointment.
- All visitors are asked to show proof of a negative rapid antigen test before entering the care centre.
- All visitors are asked to wear all necessary PPE at all times while in the care centre including 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 positive will also be asked to wear a gown and instructed on how to dispose of it safely.
- Please wear your PPE as instructed by staff.
Please do not visit if you are unwell yourself with even the mildest symptoms. Symptoms of respiratory infection can indicate a range of contagious viruses including COVID-19 and influenza.
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
