Dear Resident and Family Members,

COVID-19 Update for Residents and Families: Positive cases identified at Calvary Albury

I am writing to inform you that two (2) residents have tested positive for COVID-19 at Calvary Albury. The family of the COVID positive residents have been contacted directly.

In line with Public Health Unit advice and to keep our residents and staff safe, Calvary Albury is closed to visitors immediately.  All residents will remain in, and be cared for in their rooms for now.

We will continue to liaise closely with Public Health Unit officials, who will make the decision about whether and when it is safe to re-open Calvary Albury or lift restrictions on residents’ movement about the home.

What is Calvary doing to contain the situation?

The home’s COVID-19 Outbreak Management Plan (OMP) has been enacted and we have taken immediate action to contain transmission and keep residents and staff safe. We have:

• Physically separated the affected persons, including any close contacts;
• Notified and are working with the State and Commonwealth agencies;
• Immediately closed the home to visitors (except for end of life, compassionate visits);
• Ensured all residents are being safely cared for in their rooms, including meals and activities;
• Continue our COVID-19 testing of residents and staff;
• Supply full outbreak personal protective equipment (PPE - gloves, masks, face shields, gowns) to required areas.

Are residents safe?

All residents are being kept safe in their rooms where they are being provided with their usual care, with some changes under these conditions. For resident safety, group activities and group dining have been suspended. Residents will be provided with their meals and hydration, medication, exercise, medical care and phone/video call contact with families in their rooms.

In addition to these first actions, our care continuity plan ensures we have the clinical and non-clinical staff and other support services necessary to meet the individual care needs of our residents during situations such as this.

The home will need to remain closed to visitors until the Public Health Unit deems it safe to reopen. Compassionate visits for residents receiving end-of-life care are an exception and can be arranged with permission of the home manager.

Where can I get more information?

Calvary will update you again as soon as any information becomes available.  We anticipate our next email communication to you will be in a few days time.

We kindly request that you limit your contact with the home due to the increased workload and while staff are focused on caring for the residents..

Please be assured that our staff have prepared for situations such as these and are trained in strict infection control procedures. They continue to focus all of their attention on the individual care needs of residents.

You can help us to ease anxiety by sharing this information with other family and friends.

Thank you for your continued understanding and patience at this time.

Sincerely,                                                        

Amanda Bennett

General Manager, Aged Care