RetireAustralia Coronavirus update: 13 March 2020

Published: 13 March 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) precautionary measures

The situation concerning COVID-19 is rapidly changing. We’re paying very close attention and looking carefully at what it means for the wellbeing of our staff and residents and our day-to-day operations.

With the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, it’s understandable that people are starting to feel concerned and anxious. In situations like this, it is important to be aware and informed, but not alarmed.

About six weeks ago, when the first cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Australia, we put together a team to prepare our villages and workforce for COVID-19. Their focus is:

Prevention – keeping the virus out of our villages and workplaces; and
Preparation – getting ready for the possibility of COVID-19.

Importantly, we continue to follow advice about COVID-19 from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and federal and state governments.

Preventative measures we’ve put in place so far, include:

Refresher training for all staff about our infection control policies and procedures.
Increased education, reminders and communications for residents, staff, and suppliers about hand washing, cough etiquette and staying away from our villages if you are unwell.
Communications to self-assess before entering our villages and offices.
Increased handwashing stations in communal areas in our villages and offices.
Restricted non-essential staff travel, in particular between villages.
Postponed our open days.
Monitoring residents in care apartments for symptoms of COVID-19.
Requiring staff who have travelled from higher risk countries, as defined by the Australian government, self-isolate for 14-days and obtain medical clearance before returning to work.
Requiring staff who have been exposed or potentially exposed to COVID-19, or who have symptoms of COVID-19, do not come to work until they have medical clearance.
Requesting residents follow the government’s guidelines for self-isolation and medical assessment based on their recent travel or exposure to COVID-19.

To prepare us for the possibility of COVID-19 in our villages, we have:

Reviewed and enhanced our Infection Control policies and procedures.
Completed scenario planning to prepare us to care for residents, contain infection and look after the wellbeing of people during self-isolation.
Completed contingency planning to maintain essential services and supplies.
Implemented village outbreak kits including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other essential items.

We are not aware of anyone in the RetireAustralia community who has been affected by COVID-19 so far. But, there are now confirmed cases in the wider community, and we know many of our residents will be vulnerable to the virus.

We need your help to keep our community healthy:

Visitors:

Practice good hand hygiene:
- Washing hands regularly with soap and water, or cleansing with hand sanitiser.
- Washing hands before and after going to the toilet, smoking and contact with residents and staff.
Cough or sneeze into tissues or elbows.
Avoid shaking hands or unnecessary touching.
Not to visit if they are unwell.

Please do not visit if:

In the last 14 days, you have been to any higher risk and moderate risk countries as defined by the Department of Health – www.health.gov.au.
You have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
You have any signs of illness, in particular a fever, a cough, sore throat, tiredness or shortness of breath. This is especially important in the months ahead during the normal flu season.

Let your Village Manager know if you have been exposed, or potentially exposed, to COVID-19

Care apartment residents will be isolated in their rooms, with infection control measures in place.
If you choose to self-isolate in an independent living unit or villa, please let your village manager know of your intentions so we can support you.
We will arrange for family members to keep in touch.

Thank you for your support and understanding. I will continue to provide updates as the situation develops.

Please contact your Village Manager if you have any questions or concerns.

Dr Brett Robinson
CEO, RetireAustralia