Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, is writing to aged care providers to personally thank them for their hard work and dedication over the past three years in protecting older Australians.
Professor Kelly advises in his letter that we are currently seeing an increase in COVID-19 transmission in the community which increases the risk to the vulnerable in our community and in higher risk settings such as aged care.
In line with the National COVID-19 Community Protection Framework for a COVID Safe Australia and the National Statement of Expectations on COVID-19 Management in Aged Care Settings, and in keeping with jurisdictional mandates and advice from your local Chief Health Officers, Professor Kelly encourages providers to follow the strategies for higher community prevalence.
Professor Kelly also encourages all providers to reinforce protective actions for staff, residents or care recipients and visitors.
A reminder that early access to COVID-19 oral anti-virals for those who have tested positive can save lives so it remains important to plan ahead for these treatments.
If we are all careful, we can minimise the spread of COVID-19 over the holiday season and make things as safe as possible for our older Australians.
Please read the letter from the Chief Medical Officer here.