NSW Police Minister David Elliott has stated there is no need for a criminal investigation into the outbreak at the aged care home where 14 residents have passed away, labelling the cluster a “natural disaster.”
Talking on Sunrise yesterday, Mr Elliott said that police were helping families as part of their routine duties, but would not look to officially investigate the outbreak or management of COVID-19 at the home.
“Every time there is a death there is some sort of investigation from the coroner, police, or department of health,” he said.
“Police will assist (families) any way they can but there’s no suggestion there should be any kind of criminal investigation.”
Mr Elliott added that he had a family member living in an Anglicare home, and there were no problems in his personal circumstances.
“This is a natural disaster, there is no rulebook,” he stressed.
The statement came shortly before NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant announced NSW Health’s investigation into how the virus spread, and whether the carer diagnosed with coronavirus on 12 April was the first case at the home, will conclude soon.
“We’re just waiting on some critical serology results, we’re tracking down one lead which may turn out to be not at all relevant,” Dr Chant said yesterday morning.
“We know that the genomic sequencing is showing that the virus that spread into the nursing home is a virus that was circulating in the community.”
“What we’re trying to do is identify what you call the index case, or at the earliest possible point where it is introduced.”
