Yesterday afternoon SA Health released updated guidelines to support South Australian Residential Aged Care facilities in managing COVID-19 outbreaks and exposures.

This document included revised information regarding the definition of a COVID-19 outbreak, which is now declared when:

  • A resident of a Residential Aged Care facility (RACF) has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and has been onsite at the RACF at any time during their infectious period; or
  • Two or more staff of the RACF are diagnosed with COVID-19 at the same time, with at least one having exposed the RACF {to COVID-19} during their infectious period.

Note: The infectious period is generally considered to commence 48 hours prior to symptom onset or test date if asymptomatic, and to last for 10 days.

In light of the updated guidelines, risk assessments were carried out for each of our Aged Care homes which remained subject to Phase 3 Outbreak Management Plan measures and closed to visitors. As a result of this assessment, we are pleased to advise that the following Aged Care homes have now reopened to visitors as they no longer meet the definition of a COVID-19 outbreak:

  • Westminster Village Aged Care
  • Wesley House Aged Care*
  • West Lakes Aged Care*

*COVID-positive staff at these sites did not attend the facility during their infectious period or get diagnosed at the same time, as per the revised SA Health definition.

The above homes are now subject to UnitingSA’s Phase 2 Prevention Plan measures, which include the following visitor restrictions.

A limit of one visitor per day, with a single visit of up to one hour. All visits must:

  • Be pre-booked via phone or email (contact details can be found on our contact page)
  • Take place between 10am and 4pm daily, or 6pm to 8pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • Occur in the resident’s room

Residents are also now permitted to leave their facility for a day outing.

Please note, Hawksbury Gardens Aged Care remains closed to visitors as it continues to meet the definition of a COVID-19 outbreak. The latest round of resident testing at Hawksbury Gardens has resulted in 14 positive cases. All COVID-positive residents remain medically stable and are being monitored closely. We will inform family and friends of any change to their loved one’s health status and continue to follow SA Health’s infection control directives.

SA Health’s outbreak management guidelines are available at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/covidagedcare and will continue to be updated as the situation evolves.

If you have any questions about the COVID-19 situation at one of our Aged Care homes, please contact our COVID-19 Hotline on (08) 8448 6300.