Staff Update: Positive COVID-19 cases identified at Calvary Gympie Views

Date: 28 January 2022

To: All Staff – Calvary Gympie Views

From:  Anne Marie Cassaniti, General Manager Aged Care

Today we received the results of the latest round of testing, and unfortunately these tests identified five (5) residents in the Brennan Unit who have tested positive for COVID-19. The family of these residents have been contacted directly.

In line with Public Health Unit advice and to keep our residents and staff safe, Calvary Gympie Views has been placed in lockdown, and is closed to visitors immediately. All residents must 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 or lift restrictions on residents’ movement about the home.

We understand that this is very frustrating for staff, residents and families, particularly as we have just only reopened to visitors a week ago.

What are we 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, which includes:

• Physically separated the affected person, including any close contacts;
• Notified and working with the State and Commonwealth agencies;
• Immediately closed the home to visitors (no visitors will be allowed entry);
• Ensured all residents are being safely cared for in their rooms, including meals and activities;
• Commencing COVID-19 testing of residents and staff;
• Full outbreak PPE (gloves, masks, face shields, gowns) has been provided to required areas.

We need you to continue to work

You are safe to continue to provide resident care because you are trained and prepared for situations such as this. Your training means you will know how to provide resident care safely by following our strict infection prevention and control procedures, including the correct use of PPE.

For staff that work across multiple sites we would like you to continue to work at Calvary. To support you to do this Calvary will commit to giving you equivalent shifts to ensure that your hours from both Calvary and the alternate employer are maintained at a minimum.

What do I need to remember?

• Our first priority and focus is the safety, health and wellbeing of the people in our care, including you, our employees, at this challenging time. You will be kept informed by your Manager as the situation develops.
• Notify your Manager immediately if you have been notified that you are a close contact of a positive case, are showing symptoms of COVID-19, or are in any way unwell.
• Wear PPE as advised. If you have any questions, please speak with your Manager.
• Follow the COVID-19 media protocol. If you are contacted by a journalist, do not answer questions. Simply record the journalist’s name, media agency and contact details and notify the Manager.
• If you are experiencing any form of distress or anxiety, please speak to your Manager. If you find you require additional support, please reach out to our Employee Assistance Provider (EAP).

Thank you for all that you are doing to ensure our residents continue to receive the safest possible care with empathy and compassion in this challenging time.