There are some hopeful signs the COVID-19 outbreak in South Australia may be reaching its peak, with the State Government advising that case numbers and hospitalisations have started to stabilise.

While this is positive news, we remain acutely aware the situation can change at any time and that older members of our community remain among the most vulnerable to COVID-19.

Our Aged Care teams continue to prioritise the health and wellbeing of our residents and enact our COVID-19 Prevention and Outbreak Management Plans.

We would like to thank our residents, family and friends for the support you continue to show our staff, and the kind words many of you have shared during this challenging time.

RESIDENT BOOSTER CLINICS

We are pleased to advise booster clinics have now been conducted across all UnitingSA Aged Care homes, with more than 280 residents receiving their booster vaccine. If a resident did not attend an onsite clinic 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 home, they may be able to attend a vaccination clinic off-site or a vaccination may be able to be arranged within the facility.

DAY OUTINGS & MASKS

Five of our Aged Care homes are operating under a Phase 2 Prevention Plan, which means the home is open to visitors in a restricted capacity. It also means residents can leave the site for outings without the need to undertake COVID-19 testing to return. While we welcome families taking their loved ones out for the day, it is important to remember there is a heightened risk of COVID-19 exposure when in the community. We encourage loved ones to wear a mask at all times when taking residents off-site.

VISITORS BOOSTER DEADLINE

The State Government mandate requiring all Aged Care visitors to receive a COVID-19 booster dose within four weeks of becoming eligible comes into effect this Saturday, 29 January 2022. Thank you to all the family members and friends who have provided evidence of your booster vaccine or booking to receive one (or medical exemption) to your home. For those who are yet to provide evidence, please ensure you bring it the next time you visit. Our staff will add a booster stamp or sticker to your UnitingSA vaccination verification card to streamline future entry.

Please note, people aged 18 years and over are now eligible to receive a booster dose three months after receiving their second vaccine – down from the initial four month interval.

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: One resident has tested positive for COVID-19, however five residents have been cleared, reducing our total number of COVID-positive residents to five. No new staff have tested positive.
Testing: SA Health is conducting PCR tests on all residents today (25 January 2022) as part of their ongoing testing regime.                      

REGENCY GREEN AGED CARE
The Regency Green 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

SEATON 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 20 January 2022 and attended the site during their infectious period on 19 January 2022.
Testing: Residents are being monitored and we will administer Rapid Antigen Tests if symptoms develop.

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: Two staff members tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend, however they had not attended the site during their infectious period so there is no risk to residents. As per our previous update, the family member who was a close contact of a COVID-19 case has returned a negative result.
Testing: Nil

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: A staff member tested positive to COVID-19 today (25 January 2022) and attended the site during their infectious period on 24 January 2022, however they were not in contact with residents. Residential Operations Manager Stephanie Steensma remains in isolation at home, due to a household member testing positive. She remains contactable and is managing day-to-day operations remotely.
Testing: Staff who were in contact with the COVID-positive staff member undertook Rapid Antigen Tests today and returned negative results.

WESTMINSTER VILLAGE 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: A staff member tested positive to COVID-19 on 21 January 2022 and attended the site during their infectious period on 20 January 2022, however they were not in contact with any residents.
Testing: Nil

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.