Corona Virus Update

Policy

The age of our residents puts them in the highest risk category for suffering the effects of the Covid-19 infection and consequently we are taking measures to protect them.

In line with current advice from the World Health organisation, Public Health England and the UK Government, Abbeyfield has formulated a policy on preventative and control measures, limiting the risk of infection for our residents in our houses.

For current NHS advice please see this link https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

And for current advice relating specifically to Abbeyfield Dulwich please contact us as the information changes regularly. Residents and their sponsors should particularly be aware of this.

See below to download a simple guide to when to self-isolate.

Visiting a resident

Please see below.

Symptoms

Should you experience any symptoms associated with Covid-19 at any time, whether you have been abroad or not, please do not visit our houses until you have been given the all clear from a medical health professional.

Symptoms of Coronavirus include:

· A cough

· A fever or high temperature

- A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

If you develop any of these symptoms, however mild, you are advised to stay indoors and isolate yourself avoiding close contact with other people. If your symptoms worsen you should call NHS 111, for further advice. You should not visit your doctor or hospital.

Activities and Events

We are currently suspending all events to limit the possibility of infection spreading.

Current Status

We would like to assure you that, at this time Abbeyfield Dulwich has not had any cases of the new virus and that the above are precautionary measures only. We will contact all residents' sponsors should the need arise.

In the event of infection

Should a resident present in the premises with diagnosed coronavirus (COVID-19) or suspected coronavirus (COVID-19) they should be isolated to their room or apartment as quickly as possible and should call NHS 111 asap for advice

Residents that suspect they may be at risk of coronavirus should alert a member of staff immediately who will immediately cascade this information upwards to the Committee along with any advice given by NHS 111.

They should not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital without instruction from NHS 111.

In the event of a confirmed or suspected case of coronavirus by a resident in our sheltered house, the Chairman or Company Secretary will write to all regular external visitors to the houses to advise that all visits are prohibited for at least two weeks after any infection risk has passed. This does not apply to care workers, although they will be informed of the instance of infection in the house.

2 December 2020 update

Visiting the House - new guidelines

We now have rapid testing available. This is not part of the Government scheme (we are not a registered care home) but we have managed to get hold of tests nevertheless. They are manufactured by Roche and have a 96% accuracy rate. They produce results in 15-30 minutes.

While we have a finite supply (currently only 25), we can order more if demand merits it.

Our policy in relation to these will be as follows:

Those in a support bubble with their resident can visit as before, taking precautions and maintaining social distance. They need not take a test. There should be only one such person per resident.

Any other visitor may now attend by appointment with our House Manager Delia, and at a time when she is present, and take a test on arrival. There will be a charge of £12 per test (this is basically cost price, rounded up to the nearest £). Assuming the test is negative, they may go in to visit and need not maintain social distancing or wear masks during their visit. Of course, those "bubbling" may also take a test for £12, and then visit without the restrictions which they should otherwise observe.
A negative test is only valid for one visit and each further visit will require a new test. This is to avoid the risk that e.g. school-aged grandchildren pick up the virus between visits. (Delia can waive this at her discretion; so a visitor who is considered low-risk, and who makes two visits within a matter of hours or a couple of days, may be allowed not to undergo a second test.)

VACCINE

* In the Committee's view, the sooner the residents can be given the vaccine, the better; but again that is a matter for the individual resident/family.

* All visitors are required to sign into the visitors book on each single visit to the House.

Going Out

If you are a resident at Abbeyfield Dulwich you should:

· try to avoid taking public transport if there is an alternative;

· sit outside, rather than inside, cafes and restaurants;

· wear face masks, use sanitiser, and observe social distancing.

In short, you should observe the basic precautions which are now a part of our everyday lives.

What next?

We recognise, and ask you also to be aware, that it may be necessary to reimpose restrictions, possibly at short notice.