After a challenging month, IRT Tarrawanna has all but recovered from the COVID outbreak that infected 32 residents and staff in October.
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Of those, five residents sadly passed away.
IRT CEO Patrick Reid said on Friday all but one resident have recovered from COVID-19 and all results for Thursday's tests on residents and staff had come back negative.
The resident who is still unwell has been transferred to Wollongong Hospital to continue their recovery.
The NSW Public Health Unit has authorised the centre to proceed with caution towards resuming regular operations.
"This is tremendous news, we are all pleased to reach this milestone," Mr Reid said.
The centre will enact a transition plan, which involves five phases to be rolled out through to the last week of November.
By then it is intended the care centre will have returned to regular operations, however, the plan is subject to change depending on the COVID-19 status of all residents and staff.
Mr Reid said that everyone is thrilled at the prospect of welcoming visitors back soon.
"Our residents and their family members and friends are very much looking forward to seeing each other again in person," he said.
"If all goes according to plan visitors will be able to return during the week commencing November 15.
"Residents will no longer be confined to their rooms from November 8 and will be able to move freely about and meet with their fellow residents.
"Residents will also be able to dine together in their dining room from Monday and small group activities will also begin."
Mr Reid explained that the transition plan outlines the intention to take time to reflect and time to remember the residents who passed away during the outbreak period.
"It was very hard on our residents and staff during the outbreak not to be able to acknowledge the passing of our residents in their traditional way. We recognise the importance of doing so and are planning for a time when we can stop and acknowledge the loss of our residents and friends.
"On behalf of the IRT leadership team and Board I thank all of our frontline employees, our residents, their family members and friends and our surrounding community for their support and patience during what has been a very difficult and challenging time."
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