5 January 2021
Dear Residents, Families and Friends,
I am writing to advise you that early this morning, I was informed that a staff member at our Grantham Green Home has tested positive to COVID-19. For the protection of our residents and staff, Doutta Galla has activated its emergency management plan including initiating contact tracing.
Currently, we do not have any residents or other staff showing symptoms of COVID-19. Staff will encourage residents to remain in their rooms where care and support will be provided. We are closely monitoring the exposure with resident screening being undertaken twice daily for COVID-19 symptoms.
We have already commenced testing of all residents and staff today. As soon as the results become available, we will let you know. Grantham Green staff and most residents have been fully vaccinated.
Our staff have been fully briefed and are committed to ensuring the highest standard of infection control practices are in place, and we will continue with our enhanced cleaning protocols. Staff have commenced wearing full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when attending to residents.
We will provide regular communications to residents, families and friends as changes occur at the Home during the coming period.
We will advise you immediately of any changes in your health status to you and your family member. We understand how difficult this will be for many of you especially at this time of the year and we want to do all we can to support and facilitate contact with your loved ones. If you have an enquiry or concern about your family member or to contact them via video call or to set up a window visit, please call Grantham Green Home on 03 9364 5235. In addition, you are welcome to contact us via covid19questions@dgas.org.au
For more support and advice during this time, please reach out to OPAN (Older Persons Advisory Network) on 1800 237 981 or Elder Rights Advocacy Victoria on 1800 171 866. They are available 6am-10pm, 7 days a week.
We will keep in touch on a regular basis to inform you of any changes to the situation.
Thank you for your support during this challenging time.
Yours sincerely,
Vanda Iaconese
CEO