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2 JUNE, 2021
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Aged care lockdown By Goya Dmytryshchak A Maidstone aged care facility remains in lockdown after a resident and two workers tested positive to COVID-19. Arcare chief executive Colin Singh said the resident was displaying mild symptoms but remained in hospital on Tuesday for observation. The resident had received one dose of the Pfizer vaccine. “Arcare can confirm 53 of the 76 residents at Maidstone consented to receive the vaccine and have received one dose of the Pfizer vaccine,” Mr Singh said. He said second doses had been brought forward to Monday and all workers were offered their first or second dose on Tuesday.
‘‘
whilst we hoped that this would not happen again we are well prepared
’’
- Colin Singh
A second round of testing was carried out at Arcare on Tuesday. Residents were self-isolating and workers were wearing full personal protective equipment as the site remained under strict public infection and control measures. “We have sufficient PPE and all other supplies necessary to continue to provide support and services to our clients and team safely,” Mr Singh said. “I want to assure you that whilst we hoped that this would not happen again we are well prepared and our infection control practices put us in a good place to manage this outbreak effectively.” The state government on Tuesday announced a five-day vaccination blitz for workers in private aged care facilities and the residential disability sector following concerns there was insufficient coverage for those working with vulnerable people. On Tuesday, there were 63 active coronavirus cases in Victoria, including 54 cases linked to the City of Whittlesea outbreak. Mr Singh said the first employee to test positive last worked at the facility on Thursday,
Arcare aged care in Maidstone is in lockdown following positive tests to COVID-19. (Joe Mastroianni) 239244_03
had worn a mask and displayed no symptoms. He said the second worker, who also worked at BlueCross Western Gardens in Sunshine, had not been vaccinated as she was on personal leave on May 12 when vaccinations were offered. In a letter to residents, families and staff, BlueCross chief executive Robert Putamorsi said residents were quarantined in their rooms and currently symptom-free. “We have enacted all aspects of our COVID-19 management plan and confirm that 76 per cent of our residents have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine,” he stated. On Tuesday, Minister for Health Martin
Foley said all staff and residents at BlueCross, other than the worker who also worked at Arcare, had returned negative results following further testing. The Royal Freemasons Footscray facility also went into lockdown as a precaution due to one of its employees working at Arcare in the past week. “All residents and staff returned negative test results,” Freemasons spokesman Jacques de la Porte said. “The Footscray staff member, a tier two contact, returned a negative test result. “Given this, the Department of Health advised that the Footscray home can ‘stand down’ and return to normal operations.” The 406 and 412 bus routes have been listed
as tier one exposure sites for several dates and times. Footscray Market shops, Thai Huy Butcher and Inday Filipino Asian Store, have been listed as tier one sites and the rest of the market as a tier two site. Highpoint shopping centre has undergone a deep clean after previously being named a tier one and two exposure site. A spokesperson said the centre would remain open for food, groceries, household items, medical services and banking, but some retailers were temporarily closed. For the most up to date exposure sites, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites
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