An important update about IRT St Georges Basin Aged Care Centre

5 December 2022

Dear family member/resident representative,

I am writing to let you know three residents of Jervis House at your loved one’s aged care centre have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

This followed testing of all residents in Jervis House when one resident developed symptoms. All are experiencing mild symptoms and are being monitored regularly as we care for them in their rooms.

To minimise the risk of transmission, all other residents in the House are also encouraged to remain in their rooms where they are being supported with their care needs and served their meals.

We have implemented our outbreak management plan which includes all necessary infection control protocols for Jervis House including the co-horting of staff to reduce the risk of cross-transmission to other areas of the Care Centre.

To ensure the detection of any other residents who may have COVID-19, we have commenced a regime of routine testing for all residents of Jervis House, with the next round of tests to be conducted tomorrow. These are done using the PCR method and are sent off site for laboratory analysis; with results taking up to 24 hours to return to us.

If your loved one returns a positive result, staff will let you know by phone and a member of staff will continue to provide you with a daily update regarding their progress.

I will provide you with another update like this one later this week.

Visiting arrangements

Jervis House

While the risk of COVID-19 is being managed in Jervis House, you are encouraged to postpone your plans to visit. However if you do wish to continue with your plans, please assist the care centre by complying with the following:

  • Residents are permitted 2 visitors only.
  • Children under 12 years of age are not permitted to visit the care centre.
  • All visitors are asked to show proof of a negative rapid antigen test before entering the care centre.
  • All visitors are asked to wear all necessary PPE at all times while in the care centre including a P2/N95 mask and a face shield which will be provided on entry.
  • Those visiting a resident who is considered a close contact or is COVID-19 positive may be asked to wear additional PPE and instructed by staff on how to dispose of it safely.
  • Please wear your PPE as instructed. If a staff member asks you to adjust it they are doing so to protect you, your loved one, and all others living and working in the care centre.

All other areas of the Care Centre

There is no change to the visiting arrangements for all other areas of the Care Centre. For more details on how to plan a safe visit to your loved one please visit our website here.

As always please do not visit your loved one if you are experiencing any symptoms or are feeling unwell, even if the symptoms are mild. Even if you have a negative COVID-19 test result you may still have another type of infection which is highly contagious.

Please pass this message on to others as you consider appropriate and if you have any questions, please contact your Care Manager.

Thank you for your support.

Yours sincerely

Nia Briguglio
EGM – Aged Care Centres