By Jessica Micallef
Tara Chandrasegran is warning staff at aged care facilities that no home is safe from the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
New Gisborne’s Warrina Aged Care was locked down on August 14 and a 24-hour action plan implemented after a staff member tested positive to coronavirus.
Ms Chandrasegran, the centre’s nursing director, said she never thought the plan would be needed.
“Don’t think it won’t happen to you.
“We followed every direction given to us … to ensure we stopped the spread of infection and to keep our residents safe,” she said.
“We have all been wearing masks and faceshields well before this was a requirement.
“Our staff were inundated with education around infection control, COVID-19, and correct use of personal protective equipment for months to ensure they were ready should we be required to fight the COVID-19 battle.
“We also provided education to our residents on hand hygiene and information around what might happen should COVID-19 get into our home.”
Ms Chandrasegran said the 24-hour action plan is an hour-by-hour guide on what steps to take following a positive case.
She said the 24 to 48 hours after the positive case was known were critical to ensure the risk of infection to residents was minimised.
Staff who worked with the infected employee were stood down and a call went out to other staff members to provide care for residents.
Residents and staff underwent a further two rounds of testing last week, with all results coming back negative.
Ms Chandrasegran said the aged care’s readiness and quick-thinking staff was what saved the home from being inundated with multiple virus victims.
“Warrina dodged a massive bullet. Not because we were lucky but because we were prepared,” she said.
“Be prepared, be ready and value your staff because they are true warriors.
“Personal protective equipment is your amour, your staff are your soldiers and COVID-19 is our battle.”
