As we continue to navigate the challenges of COVID-19, we are extremely grateful for the ongoing support of family, friends, residents and staff across our Aged Care homes. Everyone has come together to prioritise the wellbeing of those in our care, and it is a credit to the entire UnitingSA community.

The Aged Care sector continues to be significantly impacted by COVID-19, with 154 Aged Care homes in South Australia recording positive cases including 572 staff, 615 residents and five visitors. Across the state, 102 of the 270 Aged Care homes have active COVID-19 outbreaks.

At UnitingSA, we are fortunate to have five of our six homes currently open to visitors, however we remain acutely aware the COVID-19 situation can change rapidly and we continue to take every precaution to reduce the risk of exposure at our sites.

Hawksbury Gardens Aged Care continues to implement its Outbreak Management Plan and I would like to acknowledge the ongoing efforts of the team, who are working tirelessly to support residents at this time.

Over the past week, our COVID-19 Hotline has been providing an important avenue for family and friends to ask questions regarding our COVID-19 response. Today’s update provides answers to some of the hotline’s most frequently asked questions, along with information about the COVID-19 situation at each of our Aged Care homes.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: If I take my loved one out for the day, do they need to have a Rapid Antigen Test to re-enter?
A: If your home is open to visitors, you are welcome to take your loved one out and they are able to return without the need to undertake COVID-19 testing. However, due to the heightened risk of community transmission, we encourage you to avoid high-density locations and COVID-19 exposure sites. We also ask that residents stay as safe as possible by practicing physical distancing, hand hygiene, and wearing a mask.

Q. I am listed as an ‘essential care visitor’ as part of the ‘Partners in Care’ initiative. Can I still visit if my loved one’s home has a Phase 3 Outbreak Management Plan enacted and is closed to visitors?
A: When homes have enacted their Phase 3 Outbreak Management Plan, a risk assessment will be undertaken to determine whether it is safe to proceed with pre-booked ‘essential care’ visits. Determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis. If you are an ‘essential care visitor’ and are unsure whether a visit can proceed, please contact your Aged Care home for advice (contact details can be found here).

Q. If my loved one undertakes a COVID-19 test, how will I know what their result is?
A. If the COVID-19 test is positive, a UnitingSA staff member will contact you directly via phone to inform you of the result as soon as possible. If you are aware your loved one has undertaken a test and you have not been contacted by a member of our team, it means their test was negative or we are still awaiting results.

Q. My loved one has not been vaccinated against COVID-19. How do I arrange this?
A. If a resident did not attend our onsite COVID-19 clinics but would like to be vaccinated, please contact your Aged Care home and speak with a member of your clinical care team for advice. Depending on the resident’s circumstances and the current COVID-19 status of their Aged Care home, they may be able to attend a vaccination clinic off-site or a vaccination may be able to be arranged within the facility.

In addition to the above, visiting loved ones are reminded that they are required to present evidence of their COVID-19 vaccination status upon entry. This may include your UnitingSA vaccination verification card, COVID-19 digital certificate or immunisation history statement. If you can’t obtain proof of your COVID-19 vaccinations online, you can ask your GP to print your immunisation history statement.

COVID-19 SITUATION UPDATES FOR ALL UNITINGSA SITES
Our twice-weekly updates incorporate a situation summary for each of our Residential Aged Care homes.

HAWKSBURY GARDENS AGED CARE
Site status: Phase 3 Outbreak Management Plan enacted, with the site remaining closed to visitors.
Latest cases/exposures: Two residents tested positive for COVID-19 today (18 January 2022), bringing the total to 11 COVID-positive residents.
Testing: We continue to follow SA Health directives regarding testing.
Booster clinics: A booster vaccination clinic for residents will be held on 19 January 2022. Please note, COVID-positive residents or those who are symptomatic will be unable to receive a booster at this time.

REGENCY GREEN AGED CARE
Site status: Phase 2 Prevention Plan enacted, with the site remaining open to visitors in a restricted capacity. Restrictions include a maximum of one visitor per day, with a single visit of up to an hour.
Latest cases/exposures: Nil
Testing: Nil
Booster clinics: An onsite booster vaccination clinic for residents was held on 17 January 2022.

SEATON AGED CARE
The Seaton Aged Care situation remains unchanged, as per our previous update.
Site status: Phase 2 Prevention Plan enacted, with the site remaining open to visitors in a restricted capacity. Restrictions include a maximum of one visitor per day, with a single visit of up to an hour.
Latest cases/exposures: Nil
Testing: Nil
Booster clinics: An onsite booster vaccination clinic for residents was held on 17 December 2021.

WESLEY HOUSE AGED CARE
Site status: Phase 2 Prevention Plan enacted, with the site remaining open to visitors in a restricted capacity. Restrictions include a maximum of one visitor per day, with a single visit of up to an hour.
Latest cases/exposures: One staff member tested positive to COVID-19 over the weekend, however they had not attended the site during their infectious period so there is no risk to residents. There are now seven active cases of COVID-19 among staff.
Testing: Nil
Booster clinics: Onsite booster vaccination clinics for residents were held on 11 and 12 January 2022.

WEST LAKES AGED CARE
Site status: Phase 2 Prevention Plan enacted, with the site remaining open to visitors in a restricted capacity. Restrictions include a maximum of one visitor per day, with a single visit of up to an hour.
Latest cases/exposures: One staff member tested positive to COVID-19 on 15 January 2022, however they had not attended the site during their infectious period so there is no risk to residents.
Testing: Nil
Booster clinics: An onsite booster vaccination clinic for residents was held today (18 January 2022).

WESTMINSTER VILLAGE AGED CARE
The Westminster Village situation remains unchanged, as per our previous update.
Site status: Phase 2 Prevention Plan enacted, with the site remaining open to visitors in a restricted capacity. Restrictions include a maximum of one visitor per day, with a single visit of up to an hour.
Latest cases/exposures: Nil
Testing: Nil
Booster clinics: An onsite booster vaccination clinic for residents was held on 14 January 2022.

If you have any questions about the COVID-19 situation at our Aged Care homes, please contact our COVID-19 Hotline on (08) 8448 6300 between 8am and 8pm daily.