Over 200 Minda staff off work, clients test positive and campus in lockdown after Covid outbreak

Nearly 40 staff and six clients at Minda have now tested positive to Covid as hundreds more isolate after an outbreak that has sent the disability provider into lockdown.

Almost 40 staff at disability provider Minda have now tested positive to Covid – and about another 200 are isolating – as families of clients raise concerns about a “hard lockdown” in place at the Brighton campus.

Six clients are also infected and one has been hospitalised “as a precaution”, but the organisations insists no resident at Brighton has tested positive or shown signs of being unwell.

Despite that, the facility has been locked down since Christmas Eve and families have been repeatedly told clients may leave but Minda cannot guarantee they will be allowed to return.

One relative, who did not want to be named, said the rule meant many residents missed out on spending the Christmas period with their families.

“(Minda) has since allowed people to return … but issued similar warnings yesterday to all families,” the relative said on Wednesday.

“All of this is more mind-boggling because Minda confirms it is its own staff who have Covid, not (Brighton) residents. And staff obviously are free to come and go.

About 40 staff at disability provider Minda have now tested positive to Covid. Picture: File

“The upshot is that hundreds of perfectly healthy people with intellectual and physical disabilities are being held at home with fears they may be unable to return or access services if they go out for the day.”

In a memo circulated to families on Wednesday, interim chief executive Judy Curran said 38 staff had tested positive and about 196 were isolating after being identified as high-risk casual or close contacts.

Ms Curran acknowledged “some families have raised concerns about the decision to undertake a hard lockdown of our Brighton campus”.

“This was done as a precaution and supported by SA Health after staff working across multiple houses tested positive to the virus,” she said.

“While we would not restrict a client from leaving the Brighton campus, that decision must consider the potential risk it may bring to others.”

The memo said locations that have been “impacted” as a direct result of positive cases or close contacts included community homes at Plympton Park, Old Reynella, Pasadena, Blakeview, Smithfield Plains, Blackwood and Trott Park.

Another site listed was the Pat Kaufmann Centre, a nursing home that cares for some of the provider’s most vulnerable clients.

In a statement, a Minda spokesperson said there were some cases staff were working longer or extra shifts to cover for those away from work.

“We also have staff who are returning to work after quarantining and subsequently testing negative,” a statement said.

“Other staff have opted to cut short their annual leave and help support workmates and clients.”

The statement said: “Minda is not – and has not ever – refused to allow clients to return”.

“Minda has a small number of clients who have been staying with family and now wish to return to their homes at our Brighton campus and we are working with each family to manage safe return,” it said.

The length of the lockdown is being assessed on a day-by-day basis in consultation with SA Health, the provider said.

“Residents continue to enjoy our grounds and gardens and interact with each other without the worry of coming into contact with someone visiting the campus who may have the virus.”