The resident is now at Westmead Hospital with contact tracing underway by NSW Health.
An Opal Aged Care spokesperson told the Daily Telegraph the resident tested positive to the virus on Sunday afternoon and lockdown procedures were put in place immediately after the diagnosis.
“Nine residents were placed in isolation for precautionary purposes immediately on notification of the diagnosis,” the spokesperson said.
“Active screening is in place in the care home including temperature checks for all team entering the home.”
“We are working closely with NSW Health on contact tracing. All possible relevant individuals are being contacted.”
The diagnosis comes despite Opal implementing active screening and hand sanitising stations at the entrances to care homes, restricting travel for staff and reducing large meetings and gatherings in its homes on 9 March and restricting access to all its homes from 5pm last Wednesday.
The case suggests that – in spite of criticism that visitor restrictions will leave residents socially isolated – they are the best way to protect residents.
