Author: despinao

1 July 2022

We have had an employee test positive to COVID this morning after attending a shift yesterday, 30 June. We believe the risk is low as the employee was working in the kitchen whilst wearing PPE.

At this stage, there are no changes to visitations.

We want to also take this time to remind you:

• Rapid Antigen Testing must occur prior to commencing your shift
• PPE must be worn, particularly face shields, goggles and masks when around residents

We thank you for your understanding during this time.

1 July 2022

We have had an employee test positive to COVID this morning after attending a shift yesterday, 30 June. We believe the risk is low as the employee was working in the kitchen whilst wearing PPE.

At this stage, there are no changes to visitations. We do want to remind you to ensure your visits must are pre-booked and the following applies:

• Visitors aged 12 years and over must have received a second dose of a COVID vaccination at least 14 days prior to their visit
• Visitors must wear an N95 mask, face shield and complete a rapid antigen test as a condition of entry
• Visitors are strongly encouraged to get a booster vaccine if they are eligible for one
• Up to 2 children under 12 years are permitted to visit provided they are accompanied by a fully vaccinated person
• Wherever possible, the visit should be in resident’s room or in an outdoor area. Visits should not be in any inside communal areas
• Visitors must check-in through our visitor check-in system
• Visitors are strongly encouraged to receive the 2022 seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available
• Visitors must not visit if they have COVID-19 symptoms, have been exposed to COVID-19 (unless they have completed their self-isolation and testing requirements). People who have had high risk exposures should not enter high risk settings for at least 14 days since their exposure to a COVID-positive person
• Visitors must not visit if they are waiting for a COVID-19 test result, feel unwell or have been overseas in the previous 14 days, unless they are: fully vaccinated, it has been at least 7 days after arrival and they have received a negative antigen test 6 days or later after arriving in NSW

We thank you for your patience and assistance during this time.

1 July 2022

Since our last update, we have had five residents and ten employees test positive to COVID-19.  We are currently working with the Public Health Unit to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our residents and staff, and are conducting another round of PCR tests on Monday.

We continue to implement our COVID Outbreak protocols amongst staff, including Rapid Antigen Tests conducted prior to their shift commencing and PPE being worn at all times.

We continue to restrict visitations to one visitor per resident at this time (for compassionate or essential visits only). These visits must be pre-booked and visitors are required to undertake rapid antigen testing as a condition of entry and will be asked to wear an N95 mask and face shield, which will be provided upon entry to the home.

We thank you for your ongoing understanding, and will provide you with a further update next week.

1 July 2022

Since our last update, we’re pleased to share that the local Public Health Unit has declared our outbreak in John Read House over!

This means that residents are permitted to have two fully vaccinated visitors aged 12 years and over, plus two children under 12 years per day.  Please note that visits must be pre-booked and the following applies:

• Visitors aged 12 years and over must have received a second dose of a COVID vaccination at least 14 days prior to their visit
• Visitors must wear an N95 mask and complete a rapid antigen test as a condition of entry
• Visitors are strongly encouraged to get a booster vaccine if they are eligible for one
• Up to 2 children under 12 years are permitted to visit provided they are accompanied by a fully vaccinated person
• Wherever possible, the visit should be in resident’s room or in an outdoor area. Visits should not be in any inside communal areas
• Visitors must check-in through our visitor check-in system
• Visitors are strongly encouraged to receive the 2022 seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available
• Visitors must not visit if they have COVID-19 symptoms, have been exposed to COVID-19 (unless they have completed their self-isolation and testing requirements). People who have had high risk exposures should not enter high risk settings for at least 14 days since their exposure to a COVID-positive person
• Visitors must not visit if they are waiting for a COVID-19 test result, feel unwell or have been overseas in the previous 14 days, unless they are: fully vaccinated, it has been at least 7 days after arrival and they have received a negative antigen test 6 days or later after arriving in NSW

We thank you for your patience and assistance during this time.

30 June 2022

Dear Whiddon Beaudesert Star Families,

There’s been a lot happening at Whiddon Beaudesert Star and we wanted to share these updates with you:

• COVID Vaccination Mandate in QLD 

We received the official update advising that the COVID-19 Vaccination is no longer a mandatory requirement to enter an aged care home. We want to remind all our visitors that though this vaccination requirement has been lifted, it is essential that all visitors adhere to infection prevention activities to keep our residents and employees safe.

Visitor restrictions do remain in place if you:

• have COVID-19
• recently had COVID-19 and it has been 7 days or less since your isolation period ended
• are a close contact
• have recently had COVID-19 test and you are waiting to receive the results
• have COVID-19 symptoms.

Visitors must continue to wear a face mask at all times while in an indoor space and comply with requirements if we need to implement additional PPE precautionary measures.

• Whiddon Beaudesert Star Newsletter

Each month we create our Whiddon Beaudesert Star newsletter, containing various updates of the previous month, and what is coming up in the months ahead. We hope you enjoy reading what our residents have been up to!

You can read the latest newsletter here.

• Welcoming our new Director of Care Services – Suzanne

We are pleased to announce the appointment of the new Director Of care Services (DCS) for Whiddon Beaudesert Star – Suzanne Falzon.

Suzanne is a highly skilled registered nurse with qualifications and experience in nurse management and expertise in providing quality management in aged care. Suzanne describes herself as being a creative problem solver and a leader. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from her many years of working in aged care.

Suzanne will be commencing with us from Monday 4th July 2022 and we look forward to welcoming her to the Whiddon Beaudesert Star Community.

29 June 2022

Since our last update, we’re pleased to share that the local Public Health Unit has declared our outbreak at Easton Park Units over!

This means that residents are permitted to have two fully vaccinated visitors aged 12 years and over, plus two children under 12 years per day. 

As a reminder, please note that visits to any one of our care homes must be pre-booked and the following applies:

• Visitors aged 12 years and over must have received a second dose of a COVID vaccination at least 14 days prior to their visit
• Visitors must wear an N95 mask, face shield and complete a rapid antigen test as a condition of entry
• Visitors are strongly encouraged to get a booster vaccine if they are eligible for one
• Up to 2 children under 12 years are permitted to visit provided they are accompanied by a fully vaccinated person
• Wherever possible, the visit should be in resident’s room or in an outdoor area. Visits should not be in any inside communal areas
• Visitors must check-in through our visitor check-in system
• Visitors are strongly encouraged to receive the 2022 seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available
• Visitors must not visit if they have COVID-19 symptoms, have been exposed to COVID-19 (unless they have completed their self-isolation and testing requirements). People who have had high risk exposures should not enter high risk settings for at least 14 days since their exposure to a COVID-positive person
• Visitors must not visit if they are waiting for a COVID-19 test result, feel unwell or have been overseas in the previous 14 days, unless they are: fully vaccinated, it has been at least 7 days after arrival and they have received a negative antigen test 6 days or later after arriving in NSW

We thank you for your patience and assistance during this time.

27 June 2022

Since our last update, we have been advised that a visitor attended our care home on Friday, 24 June who has since tested positive to COVID and may have been infectious.

If you attended our care home on Friday, and are either showing signs of respiratory illness symptoms and have tested positive to a Rapid Antigen Test or PCR Test, please contact Management asap.

We thank you for your assistance during this time.

27 June 2022

Please note, our Perry James Lodge has had a number of residents test positive to COVID after testing with Rapid Antigen Tests. The families of the residents have been notified and we are also conducting PCR tests. For now, visitation to Perry James Lodge is limited to one nominated partner-in-care. Partners-in-care may be asked to wear additional PPE at this time such as a face shield. 

We are working closely with the local Public Health Unity and following their advice to manage this outbreak. We will also be monitoring residents and employees for any respiratory symptoms, and conducting further tests next week.

We will provide a further update once we know more.

27 June 2022

Since our last update, we’re pleased to share that the recent COVID exposure is over!

This means that residents are permitted to have two fully vaccinated visitors aged 12 years and over, plus two children under 12 years per day.  All visits must be pre-booked and this has been communicated to families.

We thank you for your support and patience in caring for our residents during this time!

27 June 2022

Please note, our Perry James Lodge has had a number of residents test positive to COVID to Rapid Antigen Tests. The families of the residents have been notified and we are also conducting PCR tests. For now, visitation to Perry James Lodge is limited to one nominated partner-in-care. Partners-in-care may be asked to wear additional PPE at this time such as a face shield. Please refrain from visiting if you are unwell.

We are working closely with the local Public Health Unity and following their advice to manage this outbreak. We will also be monitoring residents and employees for any respiratory symptoms, and conducting further tests next week.

We want to also remind you that all visits must be pre-booked. All visitors are required to complete a rapid antigen test as a condition of entry and wear an N95 mask.

We are also committed to keeping you up-to-date of the situation and will provide a further update once we know more.