50 days after a staff member was diagnosed with the virus at the Western Sydney aged care home, Anglicare has announced all 18 remaining residents who had been infected have tested negative.
37 residents and 34 staff tested positive for COVID-19 during the outbreak – 19 residents passed away, 17 of whom were positive at the time of their deaths. Over 60 staff members were also required to self-isolate for 14 days.
“This result is an enormous relief to all our families and residents,” Anglicare said in a statement.
“We are grateful to the many agencies who have made this happen including supports provided by the Commonwealth Government, NSW Health, the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District and those agencies which provided us with much needed staff when our own staff were self-isolating.”
“We acknowledge our staff, those from Newmarch House as well as those from other services in Anglicare who have joined our surge team. Their dedication, sacrifice, inspirational care and support have made this day possible.”
The operator says there is still “more work to do” with the outbreak not over until the site is officially declared COVID-19 free by NSW Health.
There is also now the question of whether the outbreak will be subject to any further investigations by the Quality and Safety Commission, health authorities or the Government.
As we reported here, the Aged Care Royal Commission says it will be looking into the outbreaks at Newmarch House, Dorothy Henderson Lodge and Opal’s Bankstown aged care home to determine if the homes could have been supported better during their respective outbreaks.
