Sydney aged care resident, 93, dies of COVID-19
There has been one death and 21 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. Meanwhile the departure of the coronavirus-stricken Ruby Princess continues to be delayed.
NSW Coronavirus News
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW Coronavirus News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
There has been one death and 21 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard today said a 93-year-old man, who was a resident of the Newmarch Anglicare aged care facility in Caddens, died in hospital yesterday.
Nine additional cases have been confirmed at the facility, bringing the total number of cases to 39, after a healthcare staffer worked six shifts while infected with the virus.
The total number of coronavirus cases in NSW is now 2,957.
Mr Hazzard said 4,683 people were tests in the 24-hour period, taking the total number of tests in NSW to 165,137 tests in NSW.
There are currently 245 people in NSW being treated for COVID-19, with 21 of those in intensive care units and 17 requiring treatment from a ventilator.
Health minister Brad Hazzard thanked the NSW community for its “incredible teamwork” in taking measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
Mr Hazzard said there is still a long way to go in the fight against the disease. Comparing the fight to an AFL match, Brad Hazzard said the states chief health officer told him we are only “10 minutes into the first quarter”.
Ruby Princess still in NSW as departure stalls
Police Commissioner Mick Fuller is negotiating with consulates around the world to get Ruby Princess foreign crew members back to their homelands.
The COVID-19 stricken vessel was due to leave Port Kembla yesterday but its departure was stalled as medical testing continues.
A COVID-19 antibody test developed at Westmead Hospital is being used to swab infected crew members to see if they have developed a resistance to the virus.
Health chiefs are trying to assemble a “core” crew of Ruby Princess staff who are immune from coronavirus before it returns to sea.
The Sunday Telegraph understands Mr Fuller has been negotiating with various consulates for more than a week and plans are being finalised for repatriating large numbers of crew members. British and Canadian consular officials have been involved in the talks.
It is believed the operation to get the Carnival crew members home will involve chartered flights.
Mr Fuller has the final say on when the ship must leave and said he would extend the deadline if NSW Health needed more time.
MORE NEWS
Tyrrell mother on shoplifting charge
‘I thought this is me done – I’m f**king dead’
Drug kingpin to lose $4m property empire
A massive international expansion of the criminal probe into the virus-hit ship was also announced on Friday, with police to quiz almost 6000 passengers from its past two voyages. There are 153 crew members with coronavirus on the ship.
The death toll linked to the ship is now 21 after two ex-passengers died in the US.
Steve Lazaru and Chung Chen died after returning home after the voyage.
Mr Chen’s family is reportedly taking legal action against the cruise company.
Meanwhile, the union representing the 1100 crew members is calling to be included in the negotiations.