Important information about IRT Woodlands Aged Care Centre

6 December 2022

Dear family member/resident representative,

I’m writing to provide you with an update as we manage the risk of COVID-19 at your loved one’s aged care centre.

Since writing to you last week, I’m pleased to advise a number of our residents who previously tested positive to COVID-19 have now reached their full recovery criteria and are free of the virus.

We continue to care for five residents with the virus; one is in our Grevillia Wing and four are in our Acacia Wing. These five residents are experiencing mild symptoms such as a cough and runny nose and we continue to monitor them closely in consultation with their GPs.

To minimise the risk of transmission across the care centre, all residents have been asked to stay within their own wings and are being encouraged to wear masks if they do leave their rooms. Unfortunately, this means we’ve had to cancel the Residents’ Christmas party which was scheduled this week. We hope to reschedule this party once the outbreak is resolved.

To ensure we detect any other cases as soon as possible, residents in the Grevillia Wing who have not already tested positive to COVID-19 will be tested via the PCR method on Thursday. All other residents in the care centre do not have to be tested.

I will provide you with another update later this week when we receive the results of these tests. As previously explained, if your loved one returns a positive result, staff will let you know by phone and will keep you updated on their progress.

Visiting arrangements

As we manage the risk of COVID-19 at the care centre, visiting is strongly discouraged. However if you still wish to visit, please assist the care centre by complying with the following arrangements:

  • Children under 12 years of age are not permitted to visit the care centre.
  • Residents are permitted 2 visitors only.
  • 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.

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 do not hesitate to contact me. 

Thank you for your support.

Yours sincerely

Colleen Read
Care Manager – IRT Woodlands Aged Care Centre