15 January 2022 | View in Browser
 
 
Coronavirus (COVID-19) | Update for Residents and Families
 

Dear Resident or Family Member,

COVID-19 UPDATE – Easing of Resident Restrictions at Calvary Flora McDonald Retirement Community

Following our last update to residents and families, I am writing to advise that an additional one (1) resident and four (4) staff members have tested positive for COVID-19.

This brings the total number of positive cases at the Home to (26) residents: (10) active cases and (16) cases cleared; and (31) staff: (6) active cases and (25) cases cleared.

Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) of residents occurred yesterday today in the red Zones of Alexander Mackillop, Bert Edwards, Emanuel Solomon and Mary Mackillop Units.

RAT testing of staff members is occurring every 48 hours and staff members are required to return a negative test prior to starting their shift.

We are pleased to advise that commencing yesterday, the residents of Joseph Tappeiner, Julian Woods and Maureen Meany Units are able to leave their rooms and socialise with other residents, including all meal service returning to the dining room and limited social activities.

We are working with SA Health to also release residents in Emanuel Solomon, Mary Mackillop, Alexander Mackillop and Bert Edwards Units from isolation in their rooms by 19th January, pending the receipt of their PCR tests.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Thank you to the families who participated in the Zoom meeting on Thursday. Please see below for answers to your questions asked during the call.

1. My family member tested positive today. My family would like to know if it is Omicron or Delta?

The test results include only whether the result is positive or negative, however we can confirm that SA Health is treating the current exposure as Omicron due to the high transmissibility and the severity of the virus.

2. Are the new infections a result of infection control issues or brought in via another source?

Calvary has implemented strict Infection Control Principles across the home including Tier 3PPE for all staff. SA Health has reviewed and approved the home’s Infection Control Principles.

  • A 3PPE donning and doffing regime is in place to ensure staff maintain the Infection Control Principles
  • To date, no breech of Infection Control Principles has been identified and we continue to identify and mitigate potential risks.
    Examples include:
    Potential air flow transmission was reviewed and air purifiers installed in the rooms of residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are active cases.
     Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) of staff every 48 hours has been introduced to counter the impacts on staff of the high number of cases in the community.

For further details of Calvary’s outbreak management protocols please see SA Health Residential Aged Care Facilities Interim Guidance.

3. What is the testing protocol for residents that have tested positive?

Once a resident is diagnosed COVID-19 positive, further testing is not required.

4. Can you send the recording of the meeting?

Due to potential breaches of privacy for families and residents the recordings of meetings are not released.

5. If staff aren’t being tested daily, surely if there are positive cases the virus will continue to infect residents?

RAT testing is a precautionary measure to identify staff members who may be positive. SA Health recommends RAT testing of staff members every 48 hours.

The best way to prevent the spread of infection from staff or residents within the home is strict adherence to the Infection Protection Protocols.

6. When may a resident without COVID come out of isolation?

Following the recent advice of SA Health Guidelines, our advice is:

A resident who is considered a close contact or in a high exposure area is required to have a PCR test on day 1 and day 6. If both tests are negative the resident may come out of isolation on day 7, to be followed by RAT tests on days 8, 10, 12 and 14.

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.

Calvary will update you again as soon as further information becomes available.

Thank you for your continued understanding and patience at this time.

 

Sincerely,

Sharon Kendall, Regional CEO – SA & NT