Family of Taree's Storm Retirement Village residents have received a letter from Anglican Care confirming that a staff member has tested positive for COVID-19.
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Chief executive officer, Colin Osborne signed the letter dated yesterday (Thursday, April 2) which advised that last time the staff member with coronavirus has been on the premises was Wednesday, March 26.
According to a representative, Anglican Care was only made aware of the positive result yesterday and has stated that there are no other employees or residents with symptoms at present.
"Anglican Care is acting precisely in accordance with the Commonwealth Department of Health 'Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreaks in Residential Care Facilities' Guidelines together with advice from Hunter New England Population Health Unit," a representative said. "Anglican Care is acting strictly in accordance with their expert advice."
At the time of publication, Anglican Care has stated that there have been no other employees identified by Hunter New England (HNE) Population Health as being in close contact with the infected employee.
"One resident only was deemed by HNE Population Health to have been in close contact with the employee and is now in isolation," a representative said.
"Anglican Care will continue to assess all residents multiple times daily for signs and symptoms of the virus and all employees will be screened prior to commencing their shift."
Prior to the confirmation, Anglican Care had elected to stop all general visitors from entering its residential aged care homes, effective from 3.30pm on Monday, March 30.
"The health and safety of our residents and employees remains our highest priority and we ask that the privacy of our employees and the facility be respected at this time," a representative said.
Hunter New England Health has today (Friday, April 3) urged residents in the Manning Valley to come forward if showing any symptoms of the coronavirus as three new cases have been diagnosed with origins of the virus unknown.
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