Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates | Aegis' commitment to safety

Living with COVID: Further Relaxation of Restrictions

While the COVID virus remains in our Community and requires our constant vigilance, we need to continue the process of reducing the lifestyle impacts we have carried for so long. It must be recognised that the frail aged remain highly vulnerable to COVID, Influenza, and other viruses and everyone is responsible to minimise their risk of infection.

Aegis Facility Managers will essentially continue to hold discretion in reverting promptly to restrictions in response to any viral spread in their Facility to keep our Residents and Staff safe. In the absence of such an adverse scenario, the following measures are now to apply:

Surgical Masks

The wearing of surgical masks will be optional but are highly recommended for all Aegis Staff, Visitors, Contractors, and Agency Staff. Masks remain the best defence against infection. They will continue to be provided to all who want to wear one.

COVID & Flu Vaccinations

It is strongly recommended that everyone visiting or working in an Aged Care Facility be vaccinated against COVID & Influenza, but it is no longer mandated by State Health or Aegis.

It is a requirement however that all staff advise their receipt of a 2023 Influenza Vaccination. This will enable us to gauge the level of exposure to Residents and track compliance if State Health or Aegis later require.

Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT)

All Aegis Staff, Visitors, Contractors, and Agency Staff will need to undertake a RAT every 48 or 72 hours, or such other frequency as decided by the Facility Manager. RATs will continue to be provided if required.

Visitors

Visitation access remains via the Front Entry where a Declaration is made with conditions as directed by Facility staff. Visitors should not enter when have been a close contact within the past 7 days.

No limits are placed on the number of Resident daily visits, but we request a comfortable number.

Visiting times and coded access are between 7.00am and 8.00pm each day, including weekends, unless otherwise advised. Access after those times will need to be by special arrangement. Avoidance of entering at mealtimes is desirable. Access may be suspended temporarily should the Facility be experiencing an Infection Outbreak, in which case signage will advise the reason and conditions to be met.

Visits to bedrooms are preferred but visits to other areas of the Facility can be approved if convenient to other Residents. We suggest visiting in outside areas if the weather is appropriate.

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Entry Provisions Effective 07 March 2023

For the safety and wellbeing of everyone, the following Entry Provisions need to apply to all Visitors:

Any Visitors sign a Statutory Declaration confirming:
- Have not been a "close contact" with persons confirmed to be COVID "positive" within the past 5 days.
- Have not been informed of being in close contact with a person or persons who have been a confirmed or suspected case of COVID or Influenza within the past 7 days.
- Have not been in contact with or caring for someone who is currently unwell.
- Are not currently or within the last 7 days been unwell or been aware of any unusual symptoms including fever, night sweats/chills, cough, runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath, or gastro.
- Will complete a COVID Rapid Antigen Test current for 48 or 72 hours or more frequently if directed by Facility Staff.
- Will agree to adhere to the following, if requested by the Facility Staff:
  - Submit to a temperature check;
  - Wear an approved surgical mask appropriately;
  - Comply with regular Handwashing & Social Distancing practices;
  - Preferably visit in the room of the Resident but elsewhere can be approved.
  - Follow any instructions from staff during the visit.

All residents and their family/ friends will continue to be assisted and encouraged to stay in contact. This will be facilitated by the following:

Contact the Facility to enquire about the resident. Extra staff will be available to receive your enquiry and pass on information as appropriate.
Additional telephones will be available for our staff to provide direct conversation with loved ones.
Video Chat links can be offered that will enable direct video, audio, or text contact by arrangement. App installation information will be provided on request.
We will naturally continue to maintain communication with resident primary contacts in the event of any matters arising in relation to their health status or as they request.
We will continue to review our communication methods.

To assist our residents to adjust to the now reduced external visitation, we have maintained an increased level of Lifestyle activities and services offered. Activities in which social distancing is unable to be managed continue to be reviewed. All intergenerational activities involving school aged children will remain suspended.

We are conducting ongoing Resident Feedback Surveys to gauge the response of residents to our Lifestyle programs and the outcomes continue to be overwhelmingly positive with the majority of residents reporting a significantly increased enthusiasm and engagement. These Lifestyle enjoyment programs will continue to be expanded and be varied in the future. We will be in communication with our residents and primary contacts when these occur.