Important Staff Update: Positive COVID-19 cases identified at Calvary Oaklands

Date:   16 May 2022

To:       All Staff – Calvary Oaklands

From:  Ryan Midgley, General Manager Aged Care

I am writing to inform you that unfortunately one (1) additional resident has tested positive for COVID-19 at Calvary Oaklands, bringing the total to four (4) residents and four (4) staff. The positive residents are currently isolating and receiving care in their room, and we have notified their families.

In accordance to Calvary’s Position Statement on Visiting in Aged Care, visitation to the home has recommenced today, however, specific requirements are in place to help keep our residents, their visitors and our staff as safe as possible. Please see below:

Information for visitors during an outbreak

• Calvary Oaklands will reopen to visitors on Monday 16 May 2022.
• One fully vaccinated visitor per resident, may visit to the home from 11.00am – 5.00pm daily, from 16 May 2022.
• All visitors will be supplied with the appropriate PPE (including face masks and shields as appropriate) to wear whilst visiting.
• Visitors will be required to have a rapid antigen test (RAT test) before entering the home.
• 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.

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 visitation restrictions.

In line with Public Health orders, there has been an updated interim guideline released over the weekend which details changes in regards to close contacts within residential aged care. Please see below:

Management of residents who are identified as close contacts

• Residents who are identified as a close contact should get an initial COVID-19 PCR test, immediately quarantine for 7 days whilst they are on the premises of the RACF and not participate in group activities with other residents.
• The resident may leave the RACF following a close contact exposure and must follow the general community requirements for close contacts when they are outside of the RACF.
• Residents who are close contacts may continue to receive visitors while they are in quarantine in the RACF.
• A PCR test is to be undertaken on day 6 after exposure.
• If the day 6 PCR test is negative, the resident(s) can exit their room but must remain confined to their usual area of residence within the RACF.
• Physical distancing must be maintained, and a mask worn at all times in shared spaces, if tolerated by the resident.
• Residents who are close contacts must have daily symptom checks between days 8 to 14 and have a PCR test immediately if symptoms develop.
• As a RACF is a high-risk setting, the resident(s) should get a PCR test on day 13 after exposure as an additional precautionary measure.

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 training means 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 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 additional support, 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 and compassion in this challenging time.