Mount Gambier aged care provider Boandik Lake Terrace has announced the recommencement of visitation following a COVID-19 outbreak at the facility.

Two residents are currently in isolation with COVID-19 but are expected to have finished their recovery this week, bringing the case total to 22 residents with one recorded death.

The Boandik resident who passed away from the virus was in hospital and receiving treatment after contracting COVID-19.

Boandik chief executive Gillian McGinty told The SE Voice provided there were no further COVID cases the facility would look at exiting lockdown.

Visitors are permitted in Boandik Lake Terrace’s Moore Court and Boandik Sutton as of last Thursday with restricted numbers in place to ensure the safety of residents.

Boandik Lake Terrace’s Hawkins Court and Roughana Court are currently not accepting visitors until they “move away from having positive cases”.

In recent weeks 37 Boandik staff have contracted COVID-19, in turn creating a staff shortage with some members working 12-hour shifts to keep up with the demand.

Ms McGinty said as staff were returning to work the facility was starting to revert to shorter shifts in certain areas.

It is expected that by the end of this week all staff will have returned to work with the site hoping to return some normalcy.

Residents have been in isolation for “quite some time” with staff supporting them in their rooms to still undertake activities and engage in exercise routines.

Ms McGinty said a strong focus would be directed to therapy assistance for residents to help them resume their normal activities upon exiting lockdown and thanked the entire Boandik community for its understanding and the assistance they have provided during the difficult time.

“Residents and families have been very understanding and staff have pitched in to help and ensure we have sufficient people to cover the roster,” she said.