Media Statement
25 July 2020
UNITING AGEWELL BOX HILL COMMUNITY
Uniting AgeWell was notified yesterday afternoon, 24 July, that a staff member from our Box Hill aged care facility has tested positive to COVID-19.
The staff member is in home isolation recovering. They last worked at our Box Hill facility on Friday 17 July. They were well, wearing a mask and did not have direct contact with any residents. Two close staff contacts have been identified and are now in home isolation pending test results. Affected staff are being provided with support by Uniting AgeWell.
Importantly, none of these staff members had extended direct contact with any residents.
No staff or residents are exhibiting any symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
All residents and families were immediately informed of the situation on Friday 24 July and will continue to be regularly updated. We are extremely appreciative of their trust in our team and their ongoing support and understanding.
The Department of Health and the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Unit have been notified, and we are working with them to ensure all processes are implemented as required.
We have requested COVID-19 tests for all residents and staff. Uniting AgeWell will continue with the additional precautionary measures put in place yesterday. These measures include:
- Extra hygiene cleans daily (deep cleaning of affected areas have already been completed)
- All residents in the affected area to remain in their rooms pending test results
- Full PPE worn by staff as required
- Extra staff allocated to support residents and close monitoring of residents’ health and wellbeing
- No visitors will be permitted until further notice
All steps completed and underway are precautionary and will remain in place until all test results are known and further advice is received from the Department of Health and the Public Health Unit.
The Box Hill team is fully across what needs to be done as they implement our Infection Management protocols and additional support is being provided by Uniting AgeWell’s senior response team.
Should the situation change, we are well prepared and will work closely with the Department and health authorities.
We know that everyone in the community will be understandably concerned and anxious on hearing this news, particularly given the increasing number of COVID-19 cases via community transmission across metropolitan Melbourne and as a result, in aged care facilities.
We wish to reassure the community that our full focus is on maintaining the health, safety and wellbeing of all residents in our care and our staff, and keeping families fully informed and connected to their loved ones during visitor restrictions.
Andrew Kinnersly
Chief Executive Officer
Uniting AgeWell
Media enquiries to Rebecca Ryan [email protected] or 0401 850 288
Further information on Uniting AgeWell’s response to COVID-19 is available at: https://unitingagewell.org/cov...
About Uniting AgeWell
Uniting AgeWell is an organisation of the Uniting Church in Australia with a long tradition of providing quality aged care services for older Australians. With services available throughout metropolitan and regional Victoria and Tasmania, Uniting AgeWell offers a range of specialised options to support health and wellbeing including independent and assisted living, home care, social support and therapy programs, respite and residential care communities.
Uniting AgeWell Preston Community opened in November 2019. It is a 104-bed residential care facility across three levels. It is currently home to 56 residents, supported by 127 staff.