Our COVID-19 Latest Update

Hi All, 
I hope you were able to enjoy the festive season with family and friends. Welcome to 2022! What a year it is shaping up to be. 
 
As the world is now “open” COVID-19 is growing within the community. The current Queensland COVID Statistics detail there are over 5,000 active cases within the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital Health Services area. This means we are going to know more and more people who have contracted the virus over the coming days and weeks. ARC is starting to see this now within our services.
 
ARC remains committed to working with all participants and ensuring services are available when they are needed; however, may need to tweak or scale back the services at times depending on the availability of staff; or risk to individuals. Whilst health information is confidential and the vast majority of ARC’s services would not constitute “close contact” as per the governments definition. In instances where there may have been an increased risk of exposure to COVID-19, ARC will work to provide quick correspondence to those who may wish to have an increased vigilance in monitoring for symptomology. 
 
Please be reassured ARC takes the risk of COVID-19 seriously. All of ARC’s team members are vaccinated and have undertaken the Department of Health Online Infection Control training; as well as undertaken a 2 hour face to face infection control training over the past 18 months. All staff of ARC must be wearing a mask whilst working and have been offered additional gloves and sanitiser if required. Supports will be provided where possible from a distance of 1.5 metres. Spaces within ARC’s locations have been assessed and ARC has imposed the 1 person per 4m2 rule at this time.  ARC continues to ensure high traffic areas are wiped down regularly over the course of each day. All participants and staff have temperatures taken at the arrival at ARC locations. If a temperature is over 37.5 the person must leave the location and be tested for COVID-19. 
 
If any staff member or participant are showing symptoms of COVID-19 we ask that you isolate immediately and obtain a COVID-19 test. Either via Queensland Health or a Private Pathology Clinic with a PCR test; or with a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) at home. RAT kits will be available over the next three months for concession card holders. These tests (up to 10) will be available from pharmacies. We ask that you keep ARC updated with your COVID-19 journey and any tests that you may undertake. 
 
If you have any specific concerns, please reach out to the coordinator or member of ARC’s Management Team you would normally speak to. They will be able to work with you to ensure your supports are able to continue within a COVID-19 safe environment. The government messaging is everyone will get COVID-19 at some point. If this is you, please let ARC know ASAP so that we can ensure the supports provided meet your needs, but also ARC’s staff are aware of potential increase Personal Protective requirements. 
 
Kind Regards 

Benjamin Keast
CEO
​ceo@arcinc.org.au