Fronditha Care St Albans is one of 46 facilities in Victoria with a current COVID-19 outbreak.
Fronditha Care undertakes proactive asymptomatic testing for all staff and residents. This current outbreak is believed to be due to a rapid test showing a false negative result for an asymptomatic staff member.
Fronditha Care St Albans immediately initiated its COVID-19 Outbreak Management Plan and has worked hand in glove with the Public Health Unit, DHS Victoria and Western Health Outreach Team, ensuring direct controls to manage the outbreak and that organisational compliance with directives and reporting requirements are in place to mitigate risk for all residents, staff and community.
Fronditha Care confirmed that of the 74 St Albans residents, 25 have returned positive results in initial COVID testing. The outbreak is contained to one wing of the facility with all residents of that wing, except for 3, fully vaccinated.
22 residents were and remain asymptomatic, 2 residents have continued to test negative. All residents are isolating in their rooms and are in good health and great spirits.
Sadly, one unvaccinated resident with underlying health issues passed away on Saturday morning. Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers are with their family and loved ones.
Of the 106 St Albans staff, 16 have returned a positive result, they are isolating at home and all doing well.
“Whilst Victorians today are enjoying new freedoms, there is unfortunately more exposure now than when we were in lockdown, with over 9,500 active cases in the community and 1,166 cases reported today. And it is anticipated that this trend of high community transmission will continue for the foreseeable future,” said Faye Spiteri OAM, CEO of Fronditha Care.
“I want to reassure the community that Fronditha Care has done everything it possibly can to protect and ensure the safety and wellbeing of its residents, staff, and the broader Fronditha Care community.
“We have had a great track record to date of keeping the virus at bay, but given the extraordinarily high cases in community we were prepared. With the swift actions of the St Albans Management team and support of the Public Health Unit and Western Health Outreach Team we are cautiously optimistic that this outbreak has been contained.”
Based on PCR test results as of Friday, 19 November 2021, all residents who had previously tested negative have again returned negative results. Regular testing of residents and staff is ongoing.
In the meantime, Fronditha Care St Albans, continues to follow strict infection control procedures in line with policies and as guided by the Public Health Unit, DHS Victoria.
There is open and regular communication with all residents, families, representatives, and staff of Fronditha Care St Albans.
“We really appreciate the cooperation, assistance and understanding of families during this time. Yesterday, to address queries directly I hosted an online briefing for St Albans residents, their family and representatives, together with the Executive General Manager Residential Services, St Albans Manager and with the participation of Jill Taylor (Nikitakis), President and Kostas Livadaras, Director,” Faye Spiteri OAM said.
“I want to sincerely thank the Board of Directors, the Executive and especially the facility Manager and each and every St Albans staff member, the Public Health Unit, DHS Victoria and Western Health for working collaboratively through this very challenging time.”
Fronditha Care strongly encourages all community members to get vaccinated and follow health advice.
