Fronditha Care, the not-for-profit aged care provider, has not been untouched by COVID-19 after a staff member of its residential aged care facility in St Albans (THALPORI) tested positive on 22/7/2020 and further testing revealed one resident with a positive result on 27/7/2020 (who was admitted to hospital).
Further to additional rounds of testing that DHHS and a mobile testing team have undertaken, as part of standard outbreak management protocol, with all residents and staff, all test results to date have come back negative for both staff and residents.
A second round of COVID-19 testing was undertaken last week on residents and staff. The results were negative for all residents and staff. A third round of COVID-19 testing was undertaken on residents over the weekend. The results were negative for residents.
A series of further testing for both residents and staff will take place this week. The results of those tests will then determine next steps for our THALPORI residential aged care home.
The facility has been in full lockdown, following stringent outbreak management plan processes and procedures. Management is working closely with federal and state government agencies to suppress the virus, who are providing the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and advice and recommendations, which are being adhered to.
The majority of THALPORI staff initially stood down as part of the outbreak management response have been tested and cleared to return to work this week.
Fronditha Care’s team in THALPORI has shown exceptional commitment and diligence at this time, having the health and safety of residents and staff as the primary concern. Close contact with the families and representatives of residents remains a key priority, who are receiving daily communications.
It is with sadness Fronditha Care informs you the aforementioned resident admitted to hospital has since passed. Our heartfelt condolences and thoughts go out to the family of our resident, who will be missed by our staff and volunteers.
Our staff and management across the organisation are working hard to limit the risk of COVID-19, continuously monitoring the internal and external environment to ensure we are complying by all directives of the federal and state government. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) are continuously assessing our plans, policies and procedures.
As you are aware, as of 6pm 2/8/2020, Victoria is in a State of Disaster and Stage 4 restrictions now apply in the Melbourne area. It is our collective responsibility to take all necessary measures to limit the risk of COVID-19 to ourselves and our elders. Let’s be responsible and stay home and get tested if we have any symptoms.
