Another two residents at Opal South Valley aged care in Highton have died after contracting COVID-19, bringing Geelong’s deaths from the pandemic to six.
One of the residents died at Epworth Geelong hospital while the other died at home, Opal confirmed in a statement yesterday evening.
Another three Opal South Valley residents died on Tuesday, Sunday and July 31 at University Hospital Geelong.
In the statement Opal extended its sympathies to the families of the residents.
“[They] will be dearly missed by family, friends and our South Valley community,” an Opal spokesperson said.
The spokesperson thanked Australian Defence Force (ADF) nurses working at the aged care home for “the dedication and compassion they have shown our residents and outstanding support they have given our team”.
“It has been a privilege to work closely together with the ADF over the past two weeks as we do everything we can to protect the safety of our residents and team,” they said.
“The ADF has indicated they are now assessing their ongoing support for South Valley given they recognise that the home and Barwon Health have the resources required under the current circumstances.”
So far 28 residents, including the five who have died, and 13 employees have tested positive for COVID-19.
Five residents were in hospital yesterday after contracting COVID-19, the spokesperson confirmed.
“We are in daily communication with the families of our residents and keeping them closely updated on the care of their loved ones,” they said.
“Our thoughts are very much with them through these challenging times.
“A number of Opal South Valley team members are progressively returning to work in our home.
“These team members had been self-isolating as a precaution and have now been cleared to return to work by Barwon Health infectious disease experts.
“All returning team are being re-inducted on their first day back to ensure that all infection control and PPE processes as directed by Barwon Health remain in place.
“Re-testing continues under the direction of the experts at Barwon Health.”
A worker at Golden Farms Poultry processing plant also died after contracting coronavirus.
Kelvin Nguyen died alone in his Newcomb home and was found by emergency workers on Sunday afternoon.
Turosi, which owns the plant, confirmed a 51-year-old employee, who had worked with the company for 15 years, had died after contracting COVID-19.
“Our sincere sympathy goes out to his family and friends,” Turosi chief executive officer Phil Hand said.
