21 January 2021
We would like to provide you with an update from Whiddon Easton Park. You will find an update for each of our care homes at Whiddon Easton Park below, along with a reminder of our visitation guidelines at this time.
Arthur Webb Court
There have not been any residents test positive to COVID-19 at Arthur Webb Court. Residents are able to leave their rooms and move around their immediate area. However, we are asking that residents do not move between the different levels of Arthur Webb Court.
A number of our employees have tested positive to COVID-19 and are isolating at home.
Our employees continue to wear N95 masks and eye protection as an important layer of protection at this time.
Easton Park Units
We are pleased to advise that the residents at Easton Park Units who had previously tested positive to COVID-19 have now recovered. As per the directives of the local Public Health Unit, these residents must continue to isolate in their rooms until Monday.
All other residents are able to leave their rooms, however, we are asking that residents do not move between the different levels of this care home.
A number of our employees have tested positive to COVID-19 and are isolating at home.
Our employees will continue to wear N95 masks and eye protection as an important layer of protection at this time, however when attending to residents who are currently required to isolate in their rooms, they are wearing full PPE.
Sir David Martin
On Level 1 (ground floor), we do not have any residents who currently have COVID-19.
On Level 2, there are now four residents that have tested positive to COVID-19.
Please note that residents who have tested positive to COVID-19 are required to stay in their rooms at the advice of the local Public Health Unit. All other residents are able to leave their rooms. Residents in the affected areas must stay in the immediate vicinity of their room and adjacent lounge areas. Zoning of areas helps minimise the spread of Covid-19.
It is expected that on Monday, two of the residents who had previously tested positive to COVID-19, will no longer need to isolate, and the immediate area surrounding their rooms will no longer be isolated from the rest of the building. This is welcome news.
A number of our employees have tested positive to COVID-19 and are isolating at home.
Employees working in the affected areas continue to wear full PPE, while all other employees will be wearing N95 masks and eye protection.
Taylor House
We currently do not have any residents who have tested positive to COVID-19 in Taylor House. Residents are able to leave their rooms and move around their immediate area. We are asking that residents do not move between the different levels and wings of Taylor House.
A number of our employees have tested positive to COVID-19 and are isolating at home.
Our employees will continue to wear N95 masks and eye protection as an important layer of protection at this time.
Other important information and current visitation guidelines
We continue to work with the local Public Health Unit. Please note that any decision to isolate or de-isolate an area is made in close consultation with them.
As such, visitation to Whiddon Easton Park has been approved by the local Public Health Unit, however it is essential that the following visitation guidelines are adhered to in the interest of everyone’s safety, and to ensure that employees can remain focussed on resident care.
We are also encouraging visitors to have a booster vaccine if they are eligible to do so.
Please note the current visitation guidelines:
- One fully vaccinated visitor, per resident, per day, is permitted
- Visits are to occur between 9am and 12pm and 1pm and 4pm on weekdays (visits outside of these hours will be at the discretion of management and only when there is employee capacity to do so)
- There will be limits to the numbers of visitors who can book in at each time to enable management of capacity limits
- All visits must be pre-booked
- Where possible, outdoor visits will be encouraged
- Visits cannot not take place in communal areas
- All visitors must wear PPE, including an N95 mask and a face shield, this will be provided to visitors (visitors can re-use the face shield provided on their next visit)
- Only visitors over 12 years old are permitted and all visitors must have received a second dose of a COVID vaccination at least 14 days prior to their visit
- Visitors will be asked to complete a rapid antigen test as a condition of entry
- Unvaccinated visitors can only undertake a window visit (which must be pre-booked) and must not enter the home, except when the residents is at the end of life. Please speak to your loved one’s Care Manager directly to gain the necessary approval to visit
Please ensure that you:
- Refrain from visiting if you have COVID-19 symptoms
- Refrain from visiting if you are a close or casual contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19, unless they have completed their isolation and testing requirements. Close contacts should not enter high risk settings for at least 14 days since their exposure to a COVID-positive person
- Refrain from visiting if you have been overseas in the previous 14 days, unless you are fully vaccinated and have received a negative PCR test 7 days or later after arrival in NSW
- Refrain from visiting if you are waiting for a COVID-19 test result
- Practice good hand hygiene and socially distance
- Check in to the Service NSW app AND Whiddon’s check-in system when you visit
With cases of COVID-19 remaining high in our communities, we do ask that you follow our guidelines and remain vigilant. It is important that we all take steps to help keep everyone safe.
We thank you for your ongoing understanding and support. We genuinely understand that this has been a challenging time.