COVID-19 Update 2 February 2021, 7:10pm

In response to confirmation from the State Government on Sunday 31 January 2021 at 12:50pm, that community transmission of COVID-19 exists in Western Australia, this update provides details on Juniper’s response to ensure the best protection for our residents, clients, staff and volunteers.

The WA State Government has declared a full lockdown for the Perth, Peel and South West Regions effective from 6pm Sunday 31 January 2021 through until 6pm Friday 5 February 2021.  The full announcement can be read here.

COVID-19 is highly contagious and protecting the health and safety of our residential aged care residents, our home and community care clients, retirement living residents, staff and volunteers is our top priority.

Residential Aged Care Update

As specified in the Visitors to Residential Aged Care Facilities Directions No.5 all Juniper Perth metropolitan based Residential Care Facilities will have full visitor restrictions in place from 6pm, Sunday 31st January 2021 through to 6pm Friday 5 February 2021.

To ensure the best protection for all our residents, we will be temporarily applying our restricted visiting arrangements to also include Juniper’s regional residential aged care facilities in Geraldton, Katanning, Albany and Northam – effective immediately, until 6pm Friday 5 February 2021. We are communicating this arrangement where relevant with resident and family advisory groups and will review the arrangement on a daily basis.

The restricted visiting arrangements to our regional residential aged care facilities in Geraldton, Katanning, Albany and Northam are in place as a precautionary measure until we know the extent of the community transmission in WA.  We have become aware of people moving across the COVID affected regions identified by the WA Government and it is essential that we do everything possible to minimise the risk of exposure to COVID-19 by residents and staff and protect them from the spread of the virus.

Juniper aged care facilities in the Kimberly will continue to follow the Visitors to Residential Aged Care Facilities Directions No.4.

We understand the importance of keeping our Residential Aged Care Facilities residents and families connected as much as possible during times of restricted visitation and we are committed to helping residents and their loved ones stay in regular contact. Our residential care teams will assist with video and phone calls between residents and families.

Our therapy teams are already busy planning an increased range of enjoyable activities to help residents stay busy and entertained. We will be working with the families of residents to ensure communication is continued through this time.

Families are encouraged to contact the Residential Manager at their facility for any questions they have.

Home and Community Care

Our Home and Community Care Clients will continue to receive their essential services during the current lockdown. Our staff will wear face masks during visits and will continue to call clients in advance to ask pre-screening questions before attending their residence. It is vital that clients who have attended the sites listed by the health department, please disclose this to staff prior to receiving a visit, to ensure all care is taken when delivering essential support.

Retirement Living

A big thanks to our retirement village communities who continue to respond well to the COVID-19 situation. We remind everyone to maintain good practices, maintain physical distancing, hand hygiene and cough etiquette to help prevent the spread of infection.

During the State lock down restrictions, the Juniper retirement living coordinators will be working from home.

Currently no Juniper staff, resident or client has tested positive for COVID-19.

This information will be updated as further information comes to hand.

Other COVID-19 information resources:

• www.health.gov.au
• WA Health
• 24-hr Coronavirus Health Information Line – 1800 020 080

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Mel Newcombe
Clarity Communications
0410 461 816
mel.newcombe@claritycommunications.com.au