13 April 2022

Dear Resident and Family Members,

COVID-19 Update for Residents and Families: Positive cases identified at Calvary George Vowell Aged Care.

I am writing to inform you that unfortunately 6 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 at Calvary George Vowell within the Lakeside Unit.

We understand that this may be worrying for you and your loved one in our care. We want to assure you that we are doing everything possible to continue to look after the health and wellbeing of all our residents while keeping them safe during this difficult time.

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 our residents during situations such as this.

Information for visitors during an outbreak

Calvary’s Position Statement on Visiting in Aged Care, which took effect from 9 February 2022, allows visits for residents in all circumstances, including when a home is experiencing an outbreak and is in lockdown. There are, however, specific requirements to help keep our residents, their visitors and our staff as safe as possible.

• Calvary George Vowell will be open with appropriate PPR – we will assist you on arrival to ensure all safety measures are in place for residents, visitors and staff.
• Consistent with Calvary’s Position Statement on Visiting in Aged Care one fully vaccinated visitor (Partner in Care), per resident, will be permitted entry to the home.
• All visitors will be supplied with the appropriate PPE (including face masks and shields as appropriate) to wear whilst visiting.
• We ask that you review the following video which explains how to don (put on) and doff (take off) PPE.  Staff will be able to assist you as required. https://www.health.gov.au/resources/videos/donning-and-doffing-personal-protective-equipment-in-residential-aged-care
• Visitors will be required to have a rapid antigen test (RAT test) before entering the home. This takes time, and we ask for your patience as we manage this important screening process.

We will keep you updated as information becomes available. We anticipate our next communication to you will be (approximately 48 - 72 hours from this comms).

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. We will be hosting a zoom meeting for families today at 6:30pm. Please see attached link and feel free to join in for the update

https://japara-au.zoom.us/j/87506539333

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,