By Mitchell Clarke
An elderly resident at a Pakenham aged care facility has tested positive to Covid-19, according to a letter sent out to residents and their relatives.
The positive test comes after a casual staff member – believed to have been a kitchen worker at the Menarock Life McGregor Gardens facility – returned a “detected result”.
The news was sent out via a letter from Menarock Life CEO Kath Warren, dated Friday 24 July.
“As part of our open disclosure and open communication, I would like to inform you that one of our staff members from McGregor Gardens has just received a detected Covid-19 result,” Ms Warren said.
“We have commenced increased clinical surveillance of the residents and currently there are no residents displaying symptoms of temperatures or acute respiratory illness. We will continue to monitor all our residents closely,” the letter read on Friday.
“We appreciate that this news is difficult, but I believe it important that we are open and honest with you at this time and we will keep you informed as we have more information available.”
When contacted by the Gazette on Tuesday 29 July, a Menarock employee said there were no cases, and stated only the CEO was authorised to make public comment.
The employee said: “the CEO will call you if she feels the need to discuss this”.
The Gazette understands four staff members were isolating and all residents were tested following the first case.
But in an email from McGregor Gardens management – sent to families on Wednesday 29 July – it was confirmed a resident had since returned a positive test.
“Overnight all the results for residents and staff came through. We unfortunately have one resident return a positive test,” the email read.
“We continue to monitor residents very closely for any signs or symptoms. We are working closely with the Commonwealth and State health departments in managing this outbreak and we have all the resources that we need to care for the residents.”
It’s unclear which area of the facility the resident is located in.
McGregor Gardens have not responded to requests for comment.
DHHS has been contacted for further clarification.
