Ewen McRae
By Ewen McRae
Grant Lodge remains in lockdown, however no new cases of COVID-19 have been found since a staff member tested positive recently.
The Bacchus Marsh aged care home went into lockdown on May 6 following confirmation that an asymptomatic staff member had tested positive.
The staff member and five other staff who had been in close contact with them have been in isolation at home since the positive test, however tests on the five other staff came back negative for the virus.
A statement from Djerriwarrh Health Services said no further positive cases have been detected at the home.
“All Grant Lodge employees and residents have been tested, and all the results have come back negative for COVID-19,” the statement said.
“While Grant Lodge remains in lockdown, we are continuing to closely monitor the situation and care for our residents.
“The lockdown will be lifted once the results of the re-testing are known.
“We have strict health and safety precautions in place, which include regular monitoring of residents’ physical wellbeing through observations and temperature checks, and staff checking in on their overall wellbeing.
“The residents are remaining in their rooms where possible, and we have additional staff to support residents with one-on-one care to ensure they are fully supported and keep their spirits up.”
Lockdown measures are expected to be eased this week, provided no further positive tests are returned.
The staff member remains the only active case detected in Moorabool, which has only had two cases since the pandemic began.
In the Melton municipality, there are seven active cases out of 31 total positive tests.
Victoria’s chief health officer, Professor Brett Sutton, said while the figures across the state were encouraging, he urged residents to remain vigilant as movement restrictions are eased.
“We must maintain physical distancing, practice hygiene and self-isolation when ill,” Professor Sutton said
“These are common sense actions to ensure we don’t create a second wave of this serious disease, as we have seen in other countries once they have relaxed their stringent regulations.”
