COVID-19 Update for General Practitioners and Contractors: Positive cases identified at Calvary St Catherine’s

I am writing to inform you that unfortunately 2 residents and 2 staff have tested positive for COVID-19 at Calvary St Catherine’s. The positive residents are currently isolating and receiving care in their rooms.

A round of testing was completed 30 April 2022 and no additional positive cases were found.

Accordingly, our Outbreak Management Plan (OMP) has provisions to ensure the ongoing delivery of primary care and essential work in a scenario such as this.

What are we doing to keep resident’s safe?

The home’s updated 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;
Ensured all residents are being safely cared for in their rooms, including meals and activities;
Notified and are working with the State and Commonwealth agencies;
Continue our COVID-19 testing regime of residents and staff;
Supplied full outbreak personal protective equipment (PPE - gloves, masks, face shields, gowns) to required areas.

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

What does this mean for GPs and Contractors?

GPs and other contractors will be permitted entry to the home as usual over this time.
The wearing of full PPE – gloves, masks, face shields and gowns – will be required. GPs will be provided with the necessary PPE and education/support if required upon arrival.
For more information regarding visitor access under outbreak conditions please refer to Calvary’s Position Statement on Visiting in Aged Care.

We thank you for working with us to ensure residents continue to receive the best care in this challenging environment. You will be kept informed as the situation develops. If you have any questions about the residents or accessing the site safely, please contact the home manager.

Sincerely,

Ryan Midgley

General Manager Aged Care

Continuing the Mission of the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary

Founded in 1885 by the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary, Calvary is a charitable, not-for-profit, Catholic health care organisation.

Our mission is to provide quality, compassionate health care to the most vulnerable, including those reaching the end of their life.

With over 18,000 staff and volunteers, we have a national network of 14 Public and Private Hospitals, 72 Residential Care and Retirement Communities and 19 Community Care service centres.