THERE have been no new COVID-19 cases at Mercy Health Bethlehem Home for the Aged.
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Service manager Rose Tunious said all of the centre's staff and residents have been tested twice for coronavirus in the 10 days since a worker recorded a positive test.
Ms Tunious said Mercy Health had a number of measures in place for when that staff member returned.
"For privacy reasons, we do not disclose any personal information about our employees but we are in frequent contact with any staff members impacted by the positive test result to offer our support," she said.
"While there are government guidelines around return-to-work timing, Mercy Health is taking a conservative approach.
"No staff member will return to work at our home until they have returned repeated negative coronavirus test results, and only then when they are well and symptom-free for a further period."
The Golden Square centre was placed into lockdown and underwent a deep clean after the positive COVID-19 test.
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Ms Tunious said Mercy Health Bethlehem was still in lockdown.
"We are looking forward to welcoming visitors back in to see their loved ones as soon as we have clearance from the Public Health Unit," she said.
"However, when our current lockdown is lifted, our visitor restrictions will look a little different to how they looked before.
"The Department of Health and Human Services has issued a directive around visitor restrictions to all residential aged care homes in Victoria that come into effect from Tuesday.
"Mercy Health is currently reviewing these changes."
Under the changes, only people defined as carers will be allowed to visit aged care facilities, with a limit of one hour per day.
Ms Tunious said staff members would continue to wear full personal protective equipment.
"We are undertaking more frequent, intensive cleans of our home, and all residents are having more frequent physical health and emotional wellbeing checks so we can detect any changes early," she said.
"Our residents are served all meals in their rooms with disposable cutlery and crockery. Visitors are not allowed to visit, except in exceptional circumstances.
"Importantly, Mercy Health is working towards applying the government's broader efforts within the aged care sector to support aged care workers in not working across multiple sites to help reduce the risk of transmission in residential aged care homes."
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