Dear Resident Family Member,

RE: COVID-19 Outbreak Update for Residents and Families: Calvary Haydon Retirement Community

Yesterday we informed residents and families that a fully vaccinated member of staff had tested positive for COVID-19 late Wednesday night.

Since being notified by the ACT Public Health Unit, Calvary Haydon Retirement Community has acted immediately in accordance with our Outbreak Management Plan (OMP) to reduce the risk of transmission and keep residents safe and well.

Unfortunately, at time of writing, Calvary can confirm that eight (8) residents and three (3) members of staff have returned positive COVID-19 tests. Residents and staff were tested yesterday and testing will continue today. Calvary continues to work closely with the ACT Public Health Unit on contact tracing, the testing of residents and staff including the maintaining of the safest possible care environment for residents and staff under outbreak conditions.

As part of Calvary’s response, the affected staff member and any identified close contacts have been instructed to self-isolate at home and seek testing.

Calvary staff from our ACT public and private hospitals have been assigned to replace our isolating aged care staff to ensure safe resident care. Residents continue to be monitored by staff for COVID-19 symptoms and temperature tested regularly. All staff continue to provide resident care using the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including facemasks, shields and gowns. A deep clean was conducted at the facility yesterday.

As of 8.00am today, 24 September 2021, Calvary can confirm that:

Eight (8) residents have tested positive for COVID-19. All of these residents are located in a single household, Mary Potter. For resident safety, all residents across the whole home continue to be cared for by staff while confined to their rooms.

Families of COVID-19 positive residents are being contacted directly by the facility to notify families and provide an update on the health and wellbeing of your loved one.

Test results continue to be received by Calvary and the retesting of residents and staff will be conducted over the next 72 hours. Please be assured that residents and families will be notified of the results of testing as this information is available to us.

Three (3) staff have tested positive for COVID-19. Staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 have been instructed by the ACT Public Health Unit to self-isolate at home in accordance with health directions.

Any person who has been advised that they are a close contact of a COVID-19 case should follow the directions of the ACT Public Health Unit - i.e. seek a COVID-19 test and isolate at home until a negative result is received. Additionally, we recommend any person who has any symptoms of COVID-19 should seek testing.

For more information visit the ACT Health website or contact the ACT COVID-19 helpline on: (02) 6207 7244

We understand the news of the evolving situation will be the source of considerable anxiety to residents and their loved ones. Please be assured that resident health and wellbeing remains our primary focus at this time.

Our care staff are well trained in strict infection prevention and control procedures and we will continue to manage the outbreak in close consultation with the ACT Public Health Unit.You will continue to be updated regularly as the situation evolves.

Calvary will continue to contact families by phone with a situation update on the outbreak each day and the safety and wellbeing of your loved one. Families can also call the facility’s phone number which has been diverted to our call centre team. Our call centre team is operating 24 hours 7 days a week to manage the increase in calls and ensure every family receives information in a timely way.

For more information and regular situation updates, please visit www.calvarycoronavirusupdates.org.au

We are also committed to ensuring that you are provided with the information you want – quickly and regularly. You can help us to ease anxiety by sharing this information with other family and friends.

Sincerely,

Martin Bowles, National CEO

Barb Reid, Regional CEO - ACT