When: Friday 4 November 2022 1.00pm to 2.00pm (AEDT)
If you would like to attend and haven't yet registered, please register to attend.
There will be a moderated Q&A session with the panel, and we encourage you to submit questions in advance through the registration link.
Top 3 questions from 21 October 2022 webinar:
Question 1 - When a worker is positive are they still required to isolate 7 days and return only if no symptoms?
Workers that test positive should not attend a high risk setting, such as residential aged care homes for at least 7 days or until they no longer have any symptoms.
As there are no longer isolation requirements the AHPPC advice is if you test positive for COVID-19, you should stay home, report your test to your state or territory so you can access support and care, avoid attending high-risk places like aged and disability care facilities or hospitals, and wear a mask if you have to go out.
Question 2 – Does the 7 days isolation apply to home care and community care providers?
The AHPPC advice is if you test positive for COVID-19, you should stay home, report your test to your state or territory so you can access support and care, avoid attending high-risk places like aged and disability care facilities or hospitals, and wear a mask if you have to go out. While people do not need to isolate in their homes, we recommend older people who are COVID positive and living in their own home continue to limit their interaction with other older people to minimise the risk of transmission. We recommend this so a COVID positive person does not spread infection to other older Australians.
All aged care providers and workers in residential aged care and in-home care settings are expected to maintain existing IPC measures. It is recommended that workers who test positive for COVID-19 should not attend the workplace for at least 7 days or until they no longer have any symptoms, even if more than 7 days. This includes workers who provide close personal care to older people in their homes or the community.
Question 3 – Are we still required to temperature check residents and test upon return from leave or hospital?
Screening staff, visitors and residents is an important aspect of infection prevention and control, including when residents return from social outings or hospital admissions. State and territory health departments have moved away from temperatures checks as part of the screening process, with RAT testing of residents, staff and visitors being encouraged. The Department continues to provide RAT kits on a weekly basis to be used for screening purposes.
We encourage residential aged care homes to exercise judgement, don’t take unnecessary risks but lean towards what is going to reinstate the resident or care recipient into more normal activities as soon as you consider they are no longer vulnerable or no longer present a risk to others. Temperature checking should be conducted when considered appropriate as part of ordinary care.