Dear Resident or Family Member,

Important Update for Families: Positive COVID-19 case identified at Calvary The Homestead

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 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 is Calvary doing?

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. We have:

• 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;
• Full outbreak PPE (gloves, masks, face shields, gowns) has been provided to required areas.
• A review and increase in COVID-19 testing:
• Staff - Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT)  every 48 hours;
• Residents – PCR testing dates to be advised
• Visitors – RAT testing is to be undertaken for all visitors prior to entry
• A review of visiting hours for Rose Wing
• Thank you for calling the home in advance to book your visit between 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
• When visiting you will be provided with PPE to wear at all times during the visit (face masks and shields must not be removed).

​Are residents safe?

All residents are being kept safe in their rooms where they are being provided with their usual care, with some changes under these conditions. For resident safety, group activities and group dining have been suspended. Residents will be provided with their meals and hydration, medication, exercise, medical care and phone/video call contact with families in their rooms.

In addition to these first actions, our care continuity plan ensures we have the clinical and non-clinical staff and other support services necessary to meet the individual care needs of our residents during situations such as this.

The team will be calling you, the listed Person Responsible, with a situation update during the outbreak period. The home will need to remain closed to visitors until the Public Health Unit deems it safe to reopen. Compassionate visits for residents receiving end-of-life care are an exception and can be arranged with permission of the home manager.

Where can I get more information?

Calvary will update you again as soon as any information becomes available. We anticipate our next update to residents and families will be when further PCR test results of residents are available, unless there are any changes that need to be communicated before then.

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 be assured that our staff have prepared for situations such as these. Our staff are trained in strict infection control procedures and are focusing 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 you continued understanding and patience at this time.

Yours sincerely,

Nicole Branagh, Acting General Manager Aged Care SA