By Mitchell Clarke
A Berwick aged care facility has entered a two week lockdown, after a staff member returned a positive Covid-19 test.
The employee from the Villa Maria Catholic Home (VMCH) Berwick facility tested positive for the virus on Sunday 19 July.
A VMCH spokeswoman said the staff member only works weekends, in a set location and with no resident contact.
Staff members identified as close contacts have all been tested and will self-isolate at home for 14 days.
A full lockdown has been enacted as a precautionary measure, due to the increasing number of positive cases within the community.
As of Monday 27 July, there was 178 active cases of coronavirus in Casey and 27 in Cardinia.
VMCH said the lockdown period would remain in place for a minimum of 14 days, with the exact dates determined and advised by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Public health officials have also been notified of the developments by the aged care facility.
All residents and staff will be tested onsite from Tuesday 28 July, in a bid to treat any positive case with an “abundance of caution”.
“At this stage, no residents are unwell with Covid-19 symptoms,” a VMCH spokeswoman said in a statement.
“Precautionary measures, including the wearing of face masks and temperature testing for all, have been in place and were well established prior to these incidences occurring.
“Residents are being closely monitored. Should any signs of ill health appear, VMCH will seek medical attention immediately and inform families.
“VMCH is taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread, implementing health measures that balance care and compassion with protection and caution.”
A number of other single positive cases have been identified in aged care facilities across the state including VMCH Corpus Christi in Clayton and Japara Bayview Aged Care in Carrum Downs.
A total of 84 cases have been linked to the St Basil’s Home for the Aged in Fawkner and 82 cases have been linked to Estia Aged Care in Ardeer.
