COVID-19 update | March 16

16 March 2020

Dear residents, family members and friends,

The COVID-19 pandemic is having far-reaching implications on the community at large and on the care of residents in aged care facilities. We understand the high level of concern among residents, families and friends with regard to the impact this illness may have on care and services provided at Aberlea.

At this time, it is important to understand that we have not been directly affected by COVID- 19 and, by implementing appropriate actions, we maintain the best chance to avoid an outbreak of this disease.

This letter will provide information about;

• what measures we have taken to protect residents, staff and visitors, and
• what measures you can take to protect your family members and yourself.

Access to Aberlea

The primary responsibility of Aberlea is to provide safe care to the people who live here. In order to help achieve that goal, it has been necessary to implement some precautionary measures that will place restrictions on the free movement of people in and out of the facility.

• From Tuesday 17 March, 2020 there will be only one access point which is that main entrance on Shaw Street.
• All visitors and staff will be required to undergo an assessment of their health to determine if they are well enough to visit. People are requested not to enter Aberlea if they are experiencing:

1. fever/high temperature
2. dry cough,
3. shortness of breath and
4. muscle ache/fatigue

If there is any doubt about your health status, we request that you seek medical advice and defer your visit.

Resident health assessment

In conjunction with the residents’ GP’s, individual health care plans and interventions will be developed according to specific symptoms and needs. We are not planning a mass screening program. All residents will be encouraged to access this season’s fluvax and pneumovax as recommended by their GP.

Staff education

• All staff have been updated their handwashing training and care staff have updated their infection control training.
• All staff will be expected to participate in our fluvax program this year.
• Staff have been asked to consider their holiday/travel plans and to take steps to avoid large gatherings and potential contact with persons at risk of COVID-19.

COVID-19 Policy and planning

• Aberlea has developed a policy to guide our actions at this time.
• Government departmental guidelines and directives have been issued from federal and state governments which Aberlea have acted on. Such directives are being received in rapid succession as the situation unfolds.

General precautionary actions

Avoid spreading illnesses

Washing your hands well with liquid soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub before and after visiting and after coughing or sneezing will help reduce the spread of disease. Cover your mouth with a tissue or your elbow (not your bare hand) when coughing or sneezing and dispose of used tissues immediately and wash your hands.

Stay away if you’re unwell

If you have recently been unwell, been in contact with someone who is unwell or you have symptoms of respiratory illness (e.g. fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle and joint pain, or tiredness/exhaustion) please do not visit the facility until your symptoms have resolved. If you have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 you must stay away until you are released from self-isolation.

Limit your visit

We ask that you only visit the person you have come to see and keep children away if they or your resident family member is unwell. Avoid spending prolonged periods in communal areas of the facility.

Thank you for your assistance in adhering to this advice. Please feel free to contact us to discuss concerns or questions.

Should you require further information regarding COVID-19, please refer to the Commonwealth Department of Health website:

https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert

Yours sincerely,

David Knight
Chief Executive Officer