Dear Residents, Families and Friends
I am writing to advise you that today 1 September 2020, Doutta Galla received advice that an Avondale Heights staff member had been identified as a ‘close contact’ of a person who tested positive to COVID-19. The staff member is being tested today.
As a precaution Doutta Galla has activated its emergency response plan. Currently we do not have an identified COVID-19 outbreak at Avondale Heights and no residents or staff are showing symptoms of COVID-19. This plan has been reviewed and updated to reflect the current requirements of the relevant state and federal government bodies.
Our staff are well prepared and have been trained, and will be monitored, to ensure the highest standard of infection control practices are in place. Staff have commenced wearing full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when attending to residents. Residents will receive services in their rooms including meals and will be requested to stay in their rooms at all other times. A deep clean of the Avondale Height will be undertaken and further cleaning of the kitchen as well as expanding our existing cleaning protocols will occur.
If required, we will liaise with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to arrange a time for residents and staff to be tested. This may be dependent on the outcome of the COVID-19 test that has been undertaken by the staff member.
By the time you receive this email, Julie and her team will have contacted many of you personally to advise of the current situation, and we will keep you up to date with any changes as soon as they come to hand. We will also advise you immediately of any changes to your or your family member’s health status. Please call us on 9325 0000 if you have an enquiry or concern about your family member. The email address for written questions or concerns is covid19questions@dgas.org.au.
Doutta Galla staff are available to provide you support, however if you require additional support, please reach out to OPAN (Older Persons Advisory Network) on 1800 237 981. They are available 6am-10pm, 7 days a week. The other organisation that can assist you is Elder Rights Advocacy Victoria who can be reached on 1800 171 866 for support and advice.
Thankyou once again for your support during this challenging time. Yours sincerely,
Vanda Iaconese
CEO
