COVID-19 Case Update

Drysdale Grove Aged Care has two residents that has tested positive to COVID-19 with a PCR. These resident are currently isolating.
As a precaution the COVID-19 outbreak management plan is implemented and extra monitoring is in place to monitor all other consumers within the home. Staff are also still undertaking RAT prior to entry and increase in PPE requirements have come into effect.
Please follow the above visitor entry requirements and do not visit if you feel unwell.

Communication from Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Chief Clinical Advisor:
Australia is experiencing increases in COVID-19 transmission.
 
Please find attached a letter on COVID-19 prevention and management to resident and families of residential aged care services from the Commission’s Chief Clinical Advisor, Dr Melanie Wroth.

Read the letter to Residents & Families here, and the larger text version here.

The Department of Health have advised the following Visitor Entry Requirements:

• There are no limits on visitor numbers.
• All visitors to RACFs should have a negative result from a COVID-19 rapid antigen test taken on the same day that they attend the care facility. The rapid antigen test is completed prior to entry to our homes. All rapid antigen tests must be shown to the nurse in charge or administration staff prior to entry into the home. If there is no one on reception please ring the doorbell or ask for assistance.
• All visitors must wear a face covering provided by the home for the duration of your visit.
• Anyone who has COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID-19 or is a close contact of someone with COVID 19 should not visit Residential Aged Care Facilities
• All visitors must sign in via Zipline prior to entry into the home.
• If you are unwell please stay at home.
• Visits to occur in residents rooms or outdoors rather than communal areas.
• Indoor visits to occur in well ventilated areas with open windows and doors to provide well natural ventilation.
• All visitors to complete hand hygiene and wear masks properly.
• Practice social distancing where possible and appropriate.

It is recommended that all residents going out of the home wear a mask out in the community. 
Our COVID-19 management consists of the following:

To know more about your rights and responsibilities we encourage you to review the Industry_Code_for_Visiting_in_Aged_Care_Homes_v6.1_22Mar22.pdf (cota.org.au). The Commission has also produced a series of Partnerships in care | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to support aged care residents and their family or close friends to continue their relationships of care and companionship, even during periods of an infectious disease outbreak.
 
Ways to stay safe include:

• Staying up to date with vaccinations
• Wearing a mask when away from home in indoor public places or in crowded settings
• Stay home if you have respiratory symptoms to reduce the risk of infecting others
• If you tested positive for COVID-19 or are feeling unwell, you should stay at home until the symptoms have passed and if you must leave home wear a mask and avoid going to any high-risk settings like aged care facilities
• People at risk of more severe illness should talk to their GP now about eligibility for oral antiviral treatments should they get COVID-19.

Please do not hesitate to contact should you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your support in keeping our communities safe.

Kind Regards,

Drysdale Grove Aged Care