Coronavirus NSW: Newmarch House COVID outbreak over
After 19 deaths and more than 70 infections, health officials in NSW have finally declared the coronavirus outbreak at Newmarch House over. It comes as a second BLM protester tested positive to the virus and NSW recorded a new local case.
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NSW Health has declared the Newmarch House aged care facility outbreak of coronavirus over.
19 residents at the Anglicare facility lost their lives and while 37 residents and 34 staff were infected with coronavirus.
A statement from Anglicare said they were “delighted” the outbreak was considered over.
“The COVID-19 outbreak has brought with it significant grief and loss,” the statement said.
“Devastatingly, a total of 19 residents lost their life during the outbreak. All of these were people who were much loved members of our Newmarch House community and their loss is felt not just by their immediate family but also by other residents and our staff, many of whom are only now returning to work.”
Anglicare said the outbreak highlighted the “compassion and dedication” of staff.
“While the outbreak is now over, the virus remains active within the community. Anglicare must remain vigilant in screening and infection control at Newmarch House, and across all our other aged care homes.”
A second attendee of Melbourne’s Black Lives Matter protest, a young woman, has tested positive to COVID-19 while NSW has recorded a new local case.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton has downplayed any link with the June 6 rally, saying it was “unlikely” she had contracted the virus at the protest.
“There are many other places this person could have acquired it,” Prof Sutton said.
“I’m not convinced there’s necessarily been transmission at the protest.”
The woman is one of 12 new cases in Victoria announced on Monday while NSW recorded three.
An Illawarra man in his 20s is among the trio of cases diagnosed in the 24 hours to 8pm on Sunday.
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The source of the virus is still being investigated, but a NSW Health spokeswoman said the man did not attend the Sydney Black Lives Matter rally on June 6.
The other two new coronavirus cases diagnosed on Sunday were returned travellers in hotel quarantine.
The cases were detected in 7,201 tests, compared with almost 13,600 tests in the previous 24 hours.
There are 42 COVID-19 cases being treated by NSW Health, with none in intensive care.
“People with mild symptoms or those who show no obvious symptoms can unknowingly pass it to others,” Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said.
“NSW Health is urging anyone feeling unwell – even with the mildest of symptoms such as a runny nose or scratchy throat – to isolate from others and get tested.”