The Premier and the Chief Health Officer have today announced new measures to protect our most vulnerable community members in response to the recent cluster of confirmed COVID-19 cases linked to the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre.
Queensland Health has instructed that all residential aged care facilities in the Brisbane and seven other Local Government Areas are to be placed into lockdown effective immediately. These restrictions include:
Visitors
- No personal visitors, including care and support visitors are allowed to enter.
- Only persons providing an essential purpose will be allowed to enter.
- End of life visits will still be allowed.
- Anyone entering a facility must wear a single use surgical face mask.
Residents
- Residents cannot leave our aged care facility unless they are receiving health care, attending a funeral or for an emergency or for compassionate reasons.
- Mercy Community Aged Care or the Chief Health Officer can provide an exemption for leave on compassionate reasons.
- Special exemption will be made for end-of-life situations and we will make arrangements on a case-by-case basis.
What is Mercy Community doing?
We are committed to ensuring the safety of our residents and our team and can assure the community and family and friends of our preparedness.
Mercy Community has put in place strict protocols related to COVID-19 infection control and management within our facility.
All the Mercy Community Aged Care team are now wearing masks.
We will continue to take advice from Queensland Health and will be monitoring the situation closely.
We understand that this is a difficult and distressing time for the families and friends of our residents and appreciate the impact that this has on them. Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support, patience and understanding as we again face these restrictions. Your co-operation in these matters is very much appreciated.
We encourage people to monitor Queensland Health’s website and Facebook page and continue to follow their directives to protect yourself and others.  As always, we strongly recommend everyone with symptoms to immediately get tested. Vigilance is key to keeping community transmission out of Queensland.
Other ways to keep in touch
Family and friends can also maintain contact via Skype sessions so you can talk face to face if you are unable to visit the facility. Please note the session times and availability. Confirmation will be provided for all bookings.
We also encourage family members and representatives to use the direct phone numbers provided to residents to keep in touch. You can also post letters to your family member or friend.
If you have any queries or concerns please contact our Aged Care Facility Manager, Loretta Creevey on 3260 9555 or email loretta.creevey@mercycommunity.org.au
Keeping informed
For more information regarding aged care facilities and the current situation go to: www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/aged-care
For the most recent update and a list of Local Government Areas refer to this link:
For general up-to-date information on COVID-19 please go to www.health.qld.gov.au or follow their Facebook account.
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