17 March 2022

Dear Resident and Family Members,

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

I am writing to inform you that unfortunately (2) staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 at Calvary Haydon. The staff members worked in Mary Potter, St Teresa and St Margaret households.

Calvary Haydon is closed to visitors today, effective immediately.

We are testing residents and staff today and we will keep you updated as the results become available. Our next communication to you will be in the next day or so.

Limited visitation can resume from tomorrow, when one fully vaccinated visitor (Partner in Care) per resident, per day will be permitted entry to the home. Please see the information for visitors below for full details of the visitation restrictions.

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 residents 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 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 Haydon is closed today to enable the home to ensure all safety measures are in place for residents, visitors and staff.
• One fully vaccinated visitor (Partner in Care) per resident, per day will be permitted entry to the home from 9.00am tomorrow, Friday, 18 March 2022.
•  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
• Visitation exceptions may be made for residents receiving end of life care, residents who may be experiencing distress, or where a special care and support role is provided. Please speak with the home manager to discuss arrangements.

We will continue to liaise closely with Public Health Unit officials, who will make the decision about whether and when it is safe to remove the current restrictions.

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 contact the home on 6264 7400, if you would like to book a video call with your loved one. Clearly labelled care packages may be left with the home, and we will ensure your loved one receives them. 

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,                                                      

Karen Campbell

General Manager Aged Care