IMPORTANT: Positive COVID-19 cases identified at Calvary Riverside Views

Date: 9 February 2022

To: All Staff – Calvary Riverside Views

From:  Sherryn McMahon, General Manager Aged Care

I am writing to inform you that a member of staff and a resident of the Valley household have tested positive for COVID-19. Calvary Riverside Views is now in lockdown.

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 are working with the State and Commonwealth agencies;
• Closed the home to visitors until Monday, 14 February. This is in line with Calvary’s Position Statement on Visiting in Aged Care, which has come into effect today. The new policy allows for one visitor/partner in care per resident from Day 4 of an outbreak (or as soon as practicable) and requires that they wear the appropriate PPE. At Calvary Riverside Views, visitors will also be required to do a rapid antigen test before entering.
• Ensured all residents are being safely cared for in their rooms, including meals and activities;
• Commenced COVID-19 testing of residents and staff;
• 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 trainingmeans 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 additionalsupport, 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 andcompassion in this challenging time.