NSW Covid: Summitcare aged care facility nurse tests positive

An aged care nurse who is a close contact of a Covid-infected student nurse has tested positive, prompting a “total lockdown” of the facility.

An aged care nurse in Sydney’s northwest has tested positive to Covid-19 but operators said they are pleased 96 per cent of residents were fully vaccinated.

Summitcare’s Baulkham Hills aged care facility is under “total lockdown” with cleaning and testing underway.

A spokesman confirmed the nurse had tested positive as a close contact of a Covid-positive student nurse and anyone who worked with her was sent home to isolate and get tested.

A Nurse that works at SummitCare Baulkham Hills, has tested positive for Covid-19. Picture: David Swift

A Nurse that works at SummitCare Baulkham Hills, has tested positive for Covid-19. NSW Health workers are seen going into the facility. Picture: David Swift

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said on Wednesday that about 135 of 149 residents had been vaccinated with two doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

A small number of patients missing out due to health issues and being in hospital.

NSW Health workers at SummitCare in Baulkham Hills. Picture: David Swift

The situation at SummitCare was raised on Thursday. Picture: David Swift

The spokesman added that it was unclear if staff were vaccinated as management was not allowed to ask staff about their vaccination status and vaccination was voluntary.

Families have been notified and further testing is underway.