Dear Resident Family Member,

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

Calvary can confirm no additional cases of COVID-19 have been identified at the Calvary Haydon residential aged care home since 2 October 2021.

Following recent advice from ACT Health, Calvary can confirm the source of the infection at Calvary Haydon was a resident who had returned to the facility asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) after visiting a hospital and then tested positive. While a fully vaccinated Calvary member of staff was the first person to test positive for COVID-19 at Calvary Haydon, the staff member did not introduce COVID-19 into the home. This member of staff, like all staff, had been wearing facemasks and shields at all times while on site. This staff member did all the right things, did not work while symptomatic and were tested as soon as they developed symptoms.

Since being notified of the first positive result, late in the evening Wednesday 22nd September, Calvary immediately put into action our outbreak management plan and our residents, their families and staff have been and remain our focus.

Our dedicated staff continue to work diligently to keep all residents safe from infection. Our staff are trained in strict infection prevention and control protocols and continue to provide all resident care while wearing the appropriate PPE at all times.

The current number of recovered or active cases is nine residents and four members of staff. All COVID-positive residents are residing in the Mary Potter household of the aged care home.

In accordance with ACT Health directions, general visitation is not currently permitted at the Calvary Haydon aged care home. Special exemptions have been granted for several visitors who have attended the home to visit their loved ones at end of life and we continue to make these opportunities available wherever possible to families.

General visitation will not be permitted until 14 days after the last resident has been cleared by ACT Health and the outbreak is declared over. We continue to work closely with ACT Health and are keeping residents and families informed of any developments.

We understand that the ongoing visitation restrictions are very difficult for residents and families. Families are also encouraged to speak to their loved ones via our video call service, to help keep residents connected with loved ones.

In close consultation with ACT Health, Window Visits and expanded freedom of movement has been given to residents of St Patrick, St Margaret, St Francis and St Teresa areas of the home, including walks, and communal dining, amongst other activities.

Our Pastoral Care team has recently expanded and our team of lifestyle staff and allied health practitioners, including physiotherapists, are on site to ensure the holistic care needs of all residents are met.

Unfortunately, due to either the active case or close contact status of residents of the Mary Potter household, these residents remain being cared for in their rooms until individually cleared by ACT Health. Once cleared, based on quarantine exit testing and the close monitoring for any symptoms, individual residents of the Mary Potter household will be permitted more freedom of movement within the areas of the household consistent with the other households of the facility.

As the situation has becomes more stable these communications will no longer be provided daily however we commit to keeping you informed as information arises, including any changes in restrictions, visitation and active cases.

For more information, including regular Situation Updates and a suite of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers, please continue to visit www.calvarycoronavirusupdates.org.au

We thank residents and families for working with us so generously to ensure the safety of the people in our care.

Sincerely,

Martin Bowles, National CEO

Barb Reid, Regional CEO - ACT