23 August 2022

We regret to advise that there have been further positive COVID cases confirmed at Whiddon Narrabri Jessie Hunt.

As of today, Tuesday, 23 August: there are 19 positive resident cases, and 5 positive staff cases. All families involved have been notified accordingly.

The safety of our residents and staff remain our utmost priority. Whiddon Narrabri have been working closely with the local Public Health Unit, and have been successful in securing additional staff to support our team at Jessie Hunt. These staff members commenced working with us yesterday afternoon.

The Outbreak Management Plan will remain activated, which means that visitations are restricted to compassionate and essential visits only.

All visits must be pre-booked. Upon arrival, visitors will be required to complete a RAT test and wear PPE for the duration of their visit.

Further updates will be provided as the situation evolves. We thank you for your ongoing support and co-operation.

The Whiddon Team

22 August 2022

We are pleased to advise that, in alignment with the Public Health Unit, the COVID-19 outbreak at Whiddon Wingham has now been declared as being officially over. We are in a position to welcome back visitors to all areas of Whiddon Wingham as of today, Monday 22 August. 

A total of 6 residents and 4 staff members tested positive during this particular outbreak.

It has been 10  days since our last positive case. Second daily testing, as per the Commonwealth Guidelines, has been attended throughout the outbreak period, with the last round of tests having been conducted yesterday morning.

We thank all families, residents and staff for your ongoing support and co-operation.

Please note the following visitation guidelines:

• Whiddon strongly recommends all relevant vaccinations of both COVID-19 and influenza for all visitors.
• Non-vaccinated visitors are able to visit their loved ones in an outdoor area wearing N95 masks and face shields. Non-vaccinated visitors should not enter a home unless approval is given by the DCS/DDCS Team based on individual circumstances e.g. end of life, compassionate visits, resident wellbeing.
• Visitors must wear an N95 mask, face shield and complete a rapid antigen test as a condition of entry.
• 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 residents’ rooms or in an outdoor area. Visits should not be in any indoor communal areas.
• Visitors must check in through our visitor check-in system.
• Visitors must not visit if they have COVID-19 symptoms, or if they 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 look forward to seeing you soon.

With best wishes,

The Whiddon Team

18 August 2022

Unfortunately we have had two residents test positive to COVID-19 at Whiddon Narrabri Jessie Hunt. Families of the residents have been notified no other tests have return back positive thus far.

We have been working with the local Public Health Unit and have activated our outbreak management plan. Visitations will be restricted to compassionate and essential visits only. All visits must be pre-booked and visitors will be asked to complete a RAT test upon arrival and wear PPE for the duration of their visit.

We thank you for your support and will provide an update if anything changes.

16 August 2022

We wanted to let you know that we are currently dealing with an exposure to COVID-19 after a two employees tested positive over the weekend. Both these employees were wearing N95 masks during the time of their shift and for now this is considered low risk.

Currently, there are no changes to visitation however, we do want to remind you that COVID is very much in our communities, and to please refrain from visiting if unwell.

Please also ensure your visits must be pre-booked and the following applies:

• Whiddon strongly recommend all relevant vaccinations of both COVID-19 and influenza for all visitors.
• Non-vaccinated visitors are able to visit their loved ones in an outdoor area wearing N95 masks and face shields. Non-vaccinated visitors should not enter a home unless approval is given by the DCS/DDCS Team based on individual circumstances e.g. end of life, compassionate visits, resident wellbeing.
• Visitors must wear an N95 mask, face shield and complete a rapid antigen test as a condition of entry
• 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 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 will provide a further update if anything changes.

16 August 2022

15 August 2022

15th August 2022

The Whiddon Scheduling Team is experiencing temporary staffing shortages due to COVID-19 and influenza season.

These shortages are impacting on our staff.

Please be assured that we will respond to all enquiries and requests as soon as possible, however there may be some unexpected delays.

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

The Whiddon Team

12 August 2022

We have been working closely with the local Public Health Unit (PHU) and would like to provide an update to you on the current COVID-19 outbreak at Whiddon Redhead.

Residents in Keppel House, Dudley West will undergo another round of PCR testing tomorrow. We have been advised by the PHU, if these tests return negative their outbreak will be declared over.

The outbreak in John Read House, Wing 6 will be declared over on 16 August, unless a resident shows signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and returns a positive test.

We are pleased to let you know, residents who have completed ten days in isolation and recovered, or have not tested positive to COVID-19 are now able to leave their rooms, although residents in Dudley West and John Read House, Wing 6 will have to remain within their area.

We thank you for your assistance during this time and will provide an update early next week.

11 August 2022

We wanted to let you know that we are currently dealing with an exposure to COVID-19 after a resident and employee tested positive. The family of this resident have been notified. Pleasingly, no other residents or employees have tested positive and we will be conducting further PCR testings to monitor residents who may have been in contact during the time of infection.

Currently, there are no changes to visitation however, we do want to remind you that COVID is very much in our communities, and to please refrain from visiting if unwell.

Please also ensure your visits must be pre-booked and the following applies:

• Whiddon strongly recommend all relevant vaccinations of both COVID-19 and influenza for all visitors.
• Non-vaccinated visitors are able to visit their loved ones in an outdoor area wearing N95 masks and face shields. Non-vaccinated visitors should not enter a home unless approval is given by the DCS/DDCS Team based on individual circumstances e.g. end of life, compassionate visits, resident wellbeing.
• Visitors must wear an N95 mask, face shield and complete a rapid antigen test as a condition of entry
• 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 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 will provide a further update if anything changes.

10 August 2022 

We have been working closely with the local Public Health Unit (PHU) and can provide you all with an update on the COVID-19 outbreak at Whiddon Casino.

Residents from the first floor, Lindwall have now passed their 10-day isolation period and can move around within their area. At this stage, visitations are still restricted to one nominated-partner-in-care as we wait for the last round of PCR tests today and confirmation from the local PHU that the outbreak is declared over.

Unfortunately, there has been a small number of residents test positive on ground floor, Cedars and we have now activated our COVID-19 outbreak management plan. All families have been notified and the residents are experiencing mild cold like symptoms. For now, visitations are restricted to one nominated-partner-in-care, and residents who are testing negative may leave the home for medical appointments.

We thank you for your assistance and will provide a further update in the coming days.