IMPORTANT: Outbreak lockdown in Oak Wing at Calvary The Homestead

Date: 22 January 2022

To: All Staff – Calvary The Homestead

From:  Nicole Branagh, Acting General Manager Retirement Communities SA

I am writing to inform you that a resident has tested positive for COVID-19 at Calvary The Homestead. The resident resides in Oak Wing. 

Oak Wing has been placed in lockdown effective immediately. Residents will be cared for in their rooms and no visitors are permitted.

Residents in Rose Wing are not impacted.

We understand this is a difficult and anxious time for you, the residents you care for and their families.  Please be assured that we have planned for situations like this and will continue to do everything possible to cater for your and the residents’ health and wellness needs safely.

What are we doing to contain the outbreak?

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 Oak Wing to visitors (no visitors will be allowed entry);
• Ensured all residents in Oak Wing are being safely cared for in their rooms, including meals and activities;
• A review and increase in COVID-19 testing
  • Staff - Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT)  every 48 hours
  • Residents – PCR testing dates to be advise
  • Visitors – RAT testing is to be undertaken for all visitors prior to entry
• A review of visiting hours for Rose Wing
  • Visitors are requested to call the home in advance to book their visit between 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
  •  Visitors will be provided with PPE to wear at all times during the visit (please encourage them not to remove any PPE whilst in the resident’s room)
• 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.