26 August 2021

Dear Resident, Family Member and Friends,

I am writing to advise you that tonight I received notification that a child of a staff member at our Yarraville Village Aged Care Home has attended a Child Care Centre that has been identified as a Tier 1 site.  The child who has tested positive to COVID-19 is not from the worker’s family.

Pending further information and, for the ongoing protection of our residents and staff, Doutta Galla has activated its emergency management plan as a precautionary response.  We do not have any staff or residents at Yarraville Village who have signs or symptoms of COVID-19.  There is no outbreak at Yarraville Village nor at any Doutta Galla Home.

As part of our COVID-19 pandemic response, Yarraville Village has been actively supporting the COVID-19 vaccination program for both our residents and staff.  As well regular asymptomatic testing of staff has been ongoing and occurred as recently as Saturday 21 August 2021.  All returned negative test results from Saturday’s testing.  As a precaution though, further testing for residents and staff is being undertaken this evening.  Results will be provided as soon as they are available.

Residents will be closely monitored and twice daily COVID-19 screening of each resident will be undertaken.  Staff have already commenced wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE).  Until the test results are completed, and results known, we will encourage residents at Yarraville Village to remain in their rooms.

As you know Doutta Galla continues to maintain strong Home entry protocols, requiring staff and emergency visitors to be temperature checked and to sign a health attestation.  We will continue with our enhanced cleaning protocols.  Staff hours will be extended to support the Home as we continue to provide the highest standard of care and support to our residents.  All of these measures are part of our emergency management precautionary response.

Fortunately, most of our Yarraville Village residents and staff have been vaccinated.  As you know vaccination is a key strategy to defeating this virus, along with following COVID safe advice provided by Government Health Departments regarding mask wearing, hand hygiene and social distancing.  Doutta Galla encourages you and your families who are yet to be vaccinated to consider being vaccinated.  You can click here to Book your vaccine appointment | Coronavirus Victoria.

We will advise you immediately of any changes to your family member’s, health status, however if you have an enquiry or concern about your family member, please call Yarraville Village on
03 9687 8233. In addition, we have an email address where you can send any questions, comments or concerns related to COVID-19. The email address is covid19questions@dgas.org.au.

If you or your family would like more support during this 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.

Yours sincerely,

Vanda Iaconese

CEO