20^th April 2022

Dear Resident and Family Members,

COVID-19 Update for Residents and Families: Positive case identified at Calvary Capel Sands  

I am writing to inform you that unfortunately 3 staff members and 1 resident has tested positive for COVID-19 at Calvary Capel Sands.

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.

At this stage this is only an exposure and not a COVID Outbreak. We have completed site wide testing and all other residents remain negative.

As per the Public Health Unit with the exception of the COVID positive residents the other residents do not need to isolate.

The home remains open to visitations. All visitors must wear a N95 Mask & Face Shield and return a negative Rapid Antigen Test prior to entry.

The next testing date for residents at the home will be Saturday 23/04/2022.

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;
• 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.

• All visitors will be supplied with the appropriate PPE (including facemasks and shields as appropriate) to wear whilst visiting. Capel Sands visitors will be required to wear full PPE.
• 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

We will continue to liaise closely with Public Health Unit officials.

We are testing residents and staff today and we will keep you updated as information becomes available. We anticipate our next communication to you will be approximately 48 - 72 hours from today.

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,                                                      

Dana Ieraci

General Manager Aged Care