Novel coronavirus precautions in our care homes
3rd March 2020 | 1 minute
Advice for our residents, relatives, representatives and community.
(Translations available below).
We appreciate that the ongoing outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) around the world may be concerning for you and your loved ones. We have been, and continue to follow the advice of the Commonwealth and State Departments of Health in applying precautionary measures in our care homes.
Protecting the health of our residents and team is core to our care. We are monitoring advice from the health authorities on a daily basis. We continue to monitor our residents and document all clinical observations. As the annual flu season approaches, these measures will also help to prevent the spread of influenza which can affect our residents, families and team.
We have displayed notices of advice regarding COVID-19 at the front and rear entrances of our care homes since 31 January 2020. We ask that you help us protect those we care for by adhering to these procedures.
- Families, visitors, suppliers and Opal team members who have recently visited or transited through China, South Korea, Italy or Iran, or have been in close contact with someone who has, will not be able to visit our home for at least 14 days from the day of arrival back in Australia.
- If you need to self-isolate, we will arrange for you to speak with your loved one via FaceTime, Skype or other available means.
- Hand hygiene is one of our strongest defences. All visitors and team members must sanitise their hands at the hand sanitising stations at the entrances to our home before coming inside. As an extra precaution, we have increased hand hygiene and infection control practices inside our home.
- If you experience flu-like symptoms (such as fever, cough or sore throat), please do not visit our care home. Ensure you seek medical attention even if you feel you are most likely suffering the effects of a cold or other respiratory illnesses.
- Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, dispose of tissues safely, and if unwell avoid close contact with others.
As this is an evolving situation, we will provide updates as conditions change.
Please refer to the Australian Government Department of Health website if you would like further general information on coronavirus. https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov
Translation for this article
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