THREE residents at Bupa’s Edithvale aged care home have died after testing positive for COVID-19.
The News understands that at least 29 residents at the nursing home have tested positive for coronavirus in the last month.
It is understood 17 staff members at the nursing home have also tested positive. The first cases at the facility, which were a contractor and an employee, were reported on 19 July.
Bupa Aged Care managing director Suzanne Dvorak penned a letter to relatives of the residents last week. “It has been a difficult few weeks for those that call Bupa Edithvale home,” she said. “Notwithstanding our best efforts, the dreaded coronavirus has inserted itself in our care home. We have been working closely with both the Commonwealth and the Victorian government health departments, as we are in this battle together to eliminate this virus from our home and minimise its impact as best we can.
“Despite these efforts, we have sadly lost three of our much-loved residents since the coronavirus entered our home. These residents were transferred to hospital prior to their passing, and they were COVID-19 positive. While we believe their pre-existing or unrelated conditions most likely contributed to their passing, we don’t look past the sadness of their passing at this time.
“The situation is currently quite serious in our home. We are doing everything we can to protect your loved ones and ensure that they are safe. You have my personal guarantee that we will not stop working to protect your loved ones and our team. This is a battle that we are determined to win.”
Bupa has activated its outbreak management plan at the Edithvale home. A dedicated COVID-19 care unit has been set up, and five separate zones within the home have been established that are completely isolated from each other. A registered nurse, personal carers, and a cleaner is assigned to each isolated zone.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 12 August 2020
