Another facility, another case of a staffer testing positive. This time, Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed a doctor who visited the 162-bed facility (pictured above) at Carlton, 1.6km from the CBD, has COVID-19.

Unlike the Assisi example, the Department believes the GP was infectious when he met with two residents during a short visit on Wednesday 25 March.

One staff member is considered to have been in close contact with the doctor and is now self-isolating at home as a precaution.

In an email to residents’ families, General Manager, Krishan Sivagnanam said based on advice they had received, the residents and staff didn’t require testing due to the lack of close contact and because no one was showing symptoms.

“This situation understandably makes many of us anxious about how the virus may impact us, our families and friends. The safety and wellbeing of our residents and employees remains our top priority during this time. Australian Unity is well prepared for this situation and we ask for your continued understanding and cooperation,” he wrote.

They said as a precaution, the home will monitor the temperatures of all residents and staff before they begin their shifts and extra cleaning will be carried out over the next five days.

Like many providers, Australian Unity banned non-essential visitors to its sites for two weeks from Monday 23 March last week.

But residents have a right to see their GP under the Aged Care Quality Standards.