Brisbane aged care staff isolating over COVID fears

Two workers at a Brisbane aged care facility have tested negative to coronavirus, the results for a third worker thought to be at risk are still outstanding.

Two workers at a Brisbane aged care facility, who dined at a Sunnybank restaurant at the same time as a woman who tested positive for coronavirus, have returned negative results.

The results of a third employee of the Bolton Clarke facility at Pinjarra Hills have not yet been returned.

It was this morning revealed a 27-year-old Bellbird Park man had tested positive after dining at the Madtongsan IV Korean restaurant in Sunnybank at the same time as a woman who tested positive for coronavirus earlier this week after having returned to Queensland after travelling to Melbourne and Sydney.

The man was joined by five other people, including the two employees who have since returned negative tests.

The third person is understood not to have dined at the restaurant but was in close contact with the others.

The facility has been placed into lockdown, with no visitors allowed and residents confirmed to their room.

A possible Covid connection has been made to Fairview aged care facility at Pinjarra Hills. Picture: Adam Head

Chief operating officer David Swain said further testing of other employees as well as residents would be done if any results were positive.

A Bolton Clarke spokesman confirmed two of the self-isolting staff members had last worked on Tuesday, July 28, but that they had worked a combined total of 11 shifts at the facility between the 23rd and 28th.

“Both took immediate action to undergo testing and self-isolate when they became aware they had been at one of the restaurants identified in health alerts,” Bolton Clarke chief operating officer David Swain said.

Residents of the facility on Brisbane’s westside were now confined to their rooms on the advice of Queensland Health.

A possible Covid connection has been made to Fairview aged care facility at Pinjarra Hills. Picture: Adam Head

“We are further increasing our protection measures with all staff wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and following strict designated areas of care,” Mr Swain said.

“We are actively monitoring our residents’ health and wellbeing and will continue to work with Queensland Health to reduce any potential risk,” he said.

Families of residents who had questions were urged to call Bolton Clarke on 1300 22 11 22.