Kewarra Aged Care in partial lockdown after positive Covid test in Cairns

Covid is making its way through another aged care facility in Cairns with residents confined to their rooms and visitors banned.

KEWARRA Aged Care has gone into partial lockdown with a staff member testing positive to Covid.

Kewarra Aged Care chief executive Andrew Meek advised families on Thursday.

Bupa Cairns at Moroobool has had two residents test positive for Covid and four staff members have also tested positive for Covid.

Regis at Whitfield has had three staff members test positive and residents on one floor of the two-storey building were isolating in their rooms - but restrictions will be lifted on January 12.

Kewarra Aged Care, which has more than 90 residents, is in partial lockdown with residents in one unit confined to their rooms and visitors banned. Picture: supplied

Kewarra Aged Care has not responded to repeated requests for information.

Mr Meek said the staff member who tested positive was double vaccinated.

“All residents in Kauri have been asked to isolate in their rooms as a precaution,” he said in the letter.

“All communal social activities have been suspended for those residents.

“All visits to Kauri have been postponed,” Mr Meek said.

All residents underwent PCR tests on Saturday and staff members and visitors in Kauri on January 2 have been advised to have a PCR test.

Families of residents at aged care facilities across the Far North say their loved ones are still waiting for booster shots eight months after receiving their second job.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said when the booster rollout kicked off in November that aged care residents would be prioritised.

The Cairns Post asked Mr Hunt when booster clinics would be available at aged care facilities and was referred to the Department of Health.

The Regis Aged Care residential facility on McManus Street, Whitfield, has recorded Covid-19 positive cases among staff. Picture: Brendan Radke

A Department of Health spokesman said more than 1500 of the nation’s 2600 facilities had received an on-site booster clinic and some residents had received booster shots via a GP or pharmacist.

He said Commonwealth vaccine providers had been asked to schedule a visit to remaining facilities for residents and workers.

“It is now a requirement for facilities to report the number of residents who have received a booster,” the spokesman said.

Originally published as Kewarra Aged Care in partial lockdown after positive Covid test in Cairns