Kirrak House residents and staff clear first round of COVID-19 tests
All residents and staff from Kirrak House were tested last week for COVID-19 following contact with an agency nurse who tested positive. Thanks to swift work by the Bass Coast Health team and our pathology partner Monash Health, Bass Coast Health has received negative test results for all residents and staff. “We are extremely relieved to receive this first round of results”, said Bass Coast Health CEO Jan Child, “We know this is not over, and we know we have to continue to respond diligently to keep COVID-19 at bay from the staff and residents of Kirrak House.
We are however extremely relieved that all our residents and staff have tested negative so far, and we are pleased that aside from the usual issues, all our residents and staff are doing very well”. “We will continue to test residents and staff over the next week to take into account the incubation period of the virus, which can mean that the virus may not present in a person until approximately 4-10 days from exposure.
We are being guided by the Commonwealth and State Health Departments and we have been very appreciative for their guidance and support over the past days. “We are continuing to deliver the exemplary care that our residents deserve. I’m grateful to have been able to communicate frequently to our residents, family and staff through direct calls, daily briefings with Questions and Answers, written correspondence and facts sheets which all ensure that at every point everyone understands the current status and actions being taken. Bass Coast Health (BCH) was devastated to learn of the initial positive test result. This was the first and to date only case of COVID-19 within Bass Coast Health after a concerted effort over many months to protect our staff, residents and patients from this highly contagious disease.
In line with requirements, Bass Coast Health made immediate notification last week to the State Department of Health and Human Services, and to the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing and instituted all the measures outlined in the BCH Outbreak plan. This includes additional leisure and lifestyle staff to help residents connect with family and friends by phone and via technology. Extensive cleaning has been undertaken of the entire facility with increased cleaning regimes on a daily basis. The facility is also in complete lockdown, which means friends and family have not be able to visit in person except for end of life care”. “It is likely that the facility will be in lockdown until at least the end of August” said Ms Child. “We apologise sincerely that we have had to separate residents from their loved ones for such an extended period. More than ever, we need to be extremely vigilant to protect our residents from the spread of this virus.
We are limiting all contact where possible; we have deployed some of our most experienced staff to the facility to provide support to our excellent Kirrak team; we are making make sure everyone is wearing their masks, gowns, gloves, visors or goggles all the time; and we are being very vigilant with cleaning the facility frequently”. “I am extremely grateful to the residents and families for their support and understanding over the past few days.
I am also extremely proud of the Kirrak staff who have been working above and beyond to do whatever they can to keep their residents safe. It is a very scary time for everyone and I know residents, staff and families have all been working through the facts and the concerns. “I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all the Kirrak families who have shared their wishes and concerns over the past few days and thank you all for your commitment to our shared goal to keep everyone safe. It is a timely reminder”, Jan Child said, “that we need to all be super cautious at work and at home. Be tested, even if you have the mildest of symptoms. Wearing a mask, physical distancing, regular hand washing and staying at home are vitally important to help stop the spread of this disease”.
