Orange aged care facility in lockdown after six staff, six residents test positive to COVID-19

On Saturday a spokesperson for parent company Allity Aged Care confirmed there were 12 cases at Gosling Creek with six staff members and six residents testing positive. The facility is in lockdown for unspecified period of time.

The outbreak comes as Orange recorded 16 cases in the reporting period to 8pm on Friday night, its largest single day number.

The spokesperson said like all aged-care facilities in Australia, Gosling Creek has an outbreak management plan in place for COVID-19 which led to the detection of the first case last week.

The spokesperson said 86 per cent of the Gosling Creek's residents are fully vaccinated and 68 per cent of those have received their booster shot.

"All staff members at Gosling creek, including allied health contractors, are fully vaccinated," the spokesperson said.

Allity's COVID-19 management includes Rapid Antigen Testing and wearing appropriate PPE consistent with the health directions and routine testing.

"As part of that process, we identified a symptomatic resident who subsequently tested positive to COVID-19," the spokesperson said.

"Once we became aware of the positive case, we reported it immediately to the Public Health Unit. Since that time a further six staff and five residents have returned positive test results. Contact tracing is underway, and all close contacts will be required to get tested and self-isolate.

"We are working closely with the local health authorities, who are providing direction and guidance to ensure we keep our community as safe as possible."

The spokesperson said management were providing support services for staff, residents and their families.

It is not known how long Gosling Creek will remain in lockdown but management is encouraging family to stay in touch via zoom calls. Visits on compassionate grounds will be considered.

All staff are required to wear full personal protective equipment and will be restricted to working in assigned areas to limit any cross-over of staff.

Residents are restricted to their rooms until management is given clearance by the local public health unit to lift the lockdown measures. The home has been deep-cleaned.

Orange's current COVID numbers have prompted other aged care facilities to take precautionary action with Ascot Gardens in East Orange going into preventative lockdown for the next two weeks, with a review next week.

In a letter to residents' families, management acknowledged it was a tough decision considering Christmas was just around the corner.

The letter explained that residents who have made plans to go out for various appointments and special events/lunches may do so but will be required to have a rapid antigen test on return and for the following three days, they are to wear a mask when out of their room.

Visits will also be considered on compassionate grounds.

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