Following recent developments in Sydney with the identification of a number of new locations with COVID-19 cases, the Five Good Friends COVID Response Team has further reviewed our approach to remaining vigilant.

Today the Five Good Friends Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for ongoing home care services has been updated based on advice from the Commonwealth Department of Health, the New South Wales Department of Health and to include our guidelines for providing services in specific areas identified as 'Hotspot' locations. In NSW this applies to Campbelltown and Liverpool local government areas. Please refer to the linked council websites to determine if you live or work in an impacted suburb.

Specifically the updates are:

Scenario 2B has been updated to capture directions for Helpers living in and/or providing services in suburbs/areas that are identified as 'hotspots'. If you live in a Hotspot location Five Good Friends Helpers are still able to continue care and services to you in line with the Standard Operating Procedure. Based on the Standard Operating Procedure this means Helpers must follow the additional precautions outlined in the SOP, Scenario 2b:

• Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Proper hand hygiene
• Cough etiquette
• Social distancing

The NSW Government has also released a list of specific locations whereby you must take additional actions if you attended on the identified dates and times.

Changes to visits

In our communications with Five Good Friends Helpers we are encouraging them to take all precautions including cancelling visits if they are concerned about their health or if they fall into any of the Department of Health isolation and risk categories. If a visit is changed at short notice as result of such precautions we would be grateful for your understanding. Our Care Teams will work extremely hard and diligently to manage any potential missed visits.

Preparing for ongoing outbreaks

Unfortunately we must take the position that outbreaks will continue. This means everyone must be diligent, informed and prepared. We have written to all Helpers to ensure they have adequate stocks of PPE on hand. To support our Helpers living and working in the newly identified hotspot areas we are sending emergency kits of PPE supply.

Additional resources and assistance

The Department of Health has gathered together information for anyone impacted and looking for further support and information.

• Assistance with food and meals including prioritised online grocery ordering and urgent referrals to meal providers.
• Access to MBS telehealth services so senior Australians can talk to a GP or other allied health professionals without having to leave home.
• Home medicine delivery through pharmacies, enabling people to have prescriptions delivered to their home.
• Community Visitors Scheme to support senior people receiving Home Care or Residential Care who may be feeling more isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic through phone and virtual friendships.
• The Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line – 1800 171 866, which provides information and support to senior Australians, their families and carers.
• Friend Line telephone support service – 1800 4 CHATS (1800 424 287) which offers a free and anonymous telephone service that provides senior Australians with the opportunity to chat with a volunteer.
• TIS National for people who do not speak English and for agencies and businesses that need to communicate with their non-English speaking clients.

Remaining vigilant with symptoms and your health

The Department of Health advise symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild illness to pneumonia. Some people will recover easily, and others may get very sick very quickly. People with coronavirus may experience symptoms such as:

• fever
• respiratory symptoms - coughing, sore throat, or shortness of breath.
• Other symptoms can include runny nose, headache, muscle or joint pains, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, loss of sense of smell, altered sense of taste, or loss of appetite and fatigue.

William Garton Head of Quality and Programme Development.