Mercy Place, an elderly care home in Albury, is not admitting visitors save for compassionate end-of-life visits as it attempts to control a COVID-19 epidemic that has claimed nine lives.
Over the weekend, three individuals died: one lady in her 80s and two women in their 90s. One of the ladies had been completely vaccinated, another had just had one shot, and the third was unvaccinated. The nursing home verified that patients had made their own choices about being vaccinated.
A Mercy Health representative stated that every staff member at our home is vaccinated, and the vast majority of residents are completely vaccinated. They stated the centre had sponsored many onsite vaccination clinics to increase the number of inhabitants, including last week, when another ten individuals who had previously refused the inoculation or were living abroad received it.
Mercy Health reports that they were glad to learn that several previously unvaccinated people chose to take advantage of the chance.
Vaccination is critical, and it cannot be stressed. It is the most critical thing we can do to protect ourselves and our community against the spread of COVID-19 and to lessen the virus's severity.
Mercy Place's epidemic began on October 17, and 30 residents and six staff members have now tested positive for the virus.
'This is not a continuing cluster.'
Alison Nikitas, interim public health director for Murrumbidgee Local Health District, said it was heartbreaking to learn of another death in the community on Sunday. She expressed their sympathies to that lady's family on her untimely death.
She added that there is some good news in that no new cases have been detected in more than ten days, indicating that this is not a continuous cluster.
Following the release of seven residents, the facility presently has just three ongoing resident cases. Mercy Health has verified that unvaccinated persons would be unable to come once they reopen.
In Victoria, aged care residents may have up to five visits per day, with unvaccinated guests permitted as long as they avoid common areas. However, in New South Wales, householders are only entitled to have two fully vaccinated guests over 12 years, plus two children under 12 years, every day. Mercy Health representatives stated that given the current epidemic, they are taking every care to prevent COVID-19 from reentering our house.
By not allowing unvaccinated guests to visit our home, we are safeguarding our residents and employees and lowering the risks of our facility being closed to all visitors again.
