Assisi Aged Care confirms that an Assisi staff member received a positive test result for COVID-19 on Monday 6 July. The staff member had not worked at Assisi for over a week at the time of the test result and did not show any symptoms until five days after the last shift worked. Advice from health authorities is that the staff member was unlikely to be infectious while working at Assisi.

However, both State and Federal health authorities have advised that the current environment calls for immediate stringent precautionary action to reduce risks, and Assisi immediately commenced following that advice. This included locking down the unit concerned, testing residents and staff and placing unit residents into precautionary isolation.

Other action taken includes widespread testing of staff, residents and visitors, already completed. All those tested returned a negative result!

We have instituted mandatory use of PPE for all staff members caring for residents in isolation, continued our strict adherence to infection control measures, continued vigilance to identify even the mildest symptoms and increased the frequency of deep cleaning of the residence.

Facility wide lockdown to meet government requirements

On 8/7/2020, following the State Government reinstitution of Stage Three lockdown Assisi, along with other aged care facilities, placed the entire Assisi facility into lockdown. This will mean that we will suspend family visits for now. Exceptional circumstance visits will be permitted on a case by case basis and will need to be approved by our Director of Care.

We recognise that this is an extremely worrying time for all of our residents, families and other Victorians and we will support all our community members as required. Regular updates will be provided and we will continue to assess the situation on a daily basis, in line with the best expert and Departmental advice.

Most important of all, Assisi will continue to provide high quality care and not hesitate to take any measures needed to ensure the health and safety of our residents and staff.

Philip Moran

CEO