14 August 2020 

Dear Residents, Families and Friends, 

Firstly, I am pleased to report to that in the last round of testing that there are no further staff or residents who have tested positive to COVID-19 on site. Further testing is due to occur in the next few days. We anticipate that the results from these tests will provide information about whether the spread of the virus has stopped. 

We are very mindful of our residents who have been temporarily moved offsite and are ensuring that we are in daily contact with them. We are all looking forward to welcoming them back as soon as we can. As well, we are welcoming staff back and this is occurring each day. The return of familiar faces is bringing a smile to our residents, and over the next week we should be able to welcome back even more familiar staff. 

I acknowledge the ongoing anxiety and distress that many of you will naturally be experiencing, given you are unable to see and monitor your family members health and wellbeing face to face. I understand that more of you have been able to directly speak to your family member as the site stabilises. 

As we have informed you previously, the Home has been “set up” under the guidance of our government partners, the Australian Medical Assessment Team (AUSMAT) and Western Health to create an environment to manage the infectious nature of this virus. The Home has been thoroughly cleaned and much of the furniture and the belongings of residents have been packed away to enable cleaning to be done in line with COVID-19 protocols. This also helps with movement of staff within the Home, maintaining social distancing and efficiently ‘donning’ and ‘doffing’ of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). 

We are beginning to plan for returning our Home back to normal. Our goal is to plan firstly for the return of residents back to Footscray from hospital and for residents to return to their own rooms as soon as possible. The timing of this will depend on a number of factors in particular infection control protocols that need to be applied and followed. 

We will let you know as soon as possible if there is a change in your or your family member’s health status. Please call us on 9687 6744 if you have an enquiry or concern about your family member. The email address for written questions or concerns is covid19questions@dgas.org.au. 

If you or your family would like more support during this difficult time, 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