On Monday morning a member of staff tested positive when they were tested with the daily Lateral Flow Test. They were immediately sent home with a confirmatory PCR Test, that subsequently confirmed the positive result. It was what we had feared for the last 10 months; our first positive test. The staff member is asymptomatic and took no risks, she did everything right. She feels dreadful, when she has done nothing wrong, but being a carer by nature means that her thoughts are of the residents and other staff. We had planned for this, the next steps have been ingrained for months. We were ready. Enhanced Infection Protection Control protocols were implemented, residents were quarantined, in their rooms or in the public areas for those who would not understand the restrictions. We started testing daily. All residents were tested. Alongside that we reassured residents and staff and communicated with families. Health Protection team were notified. It is now Friday, all of the
A diary of daily life in a small privately owned residential care home, specialising in the care of those living with dementia.