Aged care in lockdown

RESIDENTS at a Narre Warren aged care facility were free to roam the halls and go outside this week after a viral outbreak confined them to their rooms for almost two weeks.
Casey Aged Care business manager Jenny Burley said that on 21 February, a couple of residents had norovirus symptoms – similar to gastroenteritis.
After three residents fell ill, the facility advised the Department of Health and Ageing and Casey Council which advised that people not leave or enter the facility.
Ms Burley said the staff kept families of the residents well informed and took proper precautions to reduce the spread of the virus.
As of 2.30pm yesterday (Wednesday), the facility was back to normal.
“Less than 10 per cent of the residents were affected and now everyone is in good health,” Ms Burley said.
“The residents were getting bored because we couldn’t have communal activities and they couldn’t live their life as normal.
“But the staff were amazing and we a great emotional support to the residents.”