The Guardian is reporting that two Aspen Medical staff who tested the cruise ship’s crew for COVID-19 until 23 April worked a shift at Anglicare’s Western Sydney aged care home on 25 April.
The news comes as Aspen Medical – contracted by the Government to provide a ‘surge’ workforce to operator experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks – confirmed it had stood down one of the 35 staff it has at Newmarch House on Monday after Anglicare alleged the individual had breached its Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) protocol.
Under Government guidelines, close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases must self-isolate for 14 days – but this requirement does not apply to staff who deal with confirmed cases while wearing full PPE.
Aspen has provided 35 staff to Newmarch House since 20 April, according to the report.
Their spokesperson said both staff members had tested negative for COVID-19.
“Both are experienced clinicians with significant experience in infection control and were in full PPE at all times whilst at Newmarch House,” they said.
While The Guardian says they are not suggesting that the two Aspen staff members had breached any PPE controls or were responsible for the further spread of the virus at the home, the revelation raises questions about the number of staff actually available by the Government to operators to deal with outbreaks.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant reminded the media yesterday that they cannot isolate every staff member who is exposed to someone with the virus.
“If every time a healthcare worker cared for a patient with COVID was then required to take 14 days we wouldn’t have health care workers to care for patients,” she said.
Newmarch House has now had 66 confirmed cases of the virus – 37 residents and 29 staff.
NSW Health reports that of the 43 staff and 27 residents tested on Tuesday, all results were negative.
