Hello to you all,
Firstly, can I pass on to you all the thanks of the management team, staff and the Board for your compliance with the COVID 19 measures we have had in place for the protection of your loved ones. As you would have all seen in the news, there is great concern over the new variants of COVID 19 which are circulating in the community. These new variants are highly contagious (even more so than last year’s variants) and the level of community transmission is high. There are a high number of aged care facilities currently in outbreak.
ATV has conducted a thorough risk assessment of the current situation. Our requirements for entry to ATV will continue to be aligned with the recommendations of the Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant. To enable entry to ATV you will be required to be vaccinated, preferably with your booster shots up to date. If you have not received your 3 rd or 4 th vaccination (winter dose) we would strongly encourage you to do so to ensure your own protection and also the protection of our vulnerable residents. We will also require you to have conducted a rapid antigen test on the day of your visit with a negative result. Screening processes will not be changed at this point in time. Numbers of visitors will be restricted as per the CHO recommendation, to 2 adults and 2 children per resident per day.
We are currently reviewing the times of visiting. At this stage, formal visiting time will remain between 2pm to 4pm and times can be booked via our website. However, individual circumstances can be reviewed so please contact us if you need to visit outside these times. We would request no visiting between 11.30am to 2pm as this is an extremely busy time for staff.
You may also have heard media reports of the use of antivirals for anyone testing positive to COVID 19. These are most effective if administered in the first 5 days of illness. We have antivirals on hand at ATV to administer with GP advice, should any resident test positive to the virus.
We are currently awaiting advice regarding a further winter dose clinic to give the 4 th dose to any residents not currently fully vaccinated.
As of 1 st August 2022, the Department of Health and My Aged Care will be publishing facility COVID 19 vaccination rates. ATV has an excellent percentage of residents fully vaccinated. This stands us in a good position if any outbreak does occur.
In relation to flu vaccination, we would strongly encourage family members and visitors to obtain a flu vax. If you have already had your flu vaccination, can you please advise the office so we can keep a record. We can report that 100% of eligible residents have received their flu vaccination.
The Department has also issued guidance to residential aged care facilities regarding management of acute respiratory illnesses over the winter period. I can confirm that ATV is already complying with this framework. Please follow this link to the latest advice to the Residential Aged Care Facility for COVID-19.
If you require any further information or need to discuss individual circumstances, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind regards
Abel Tasman Village