Coronavirus NSW: Third Newmarch House resident dies from COVID-19
Anglicare has admitted to residents of Newmarch House and their families that two days ago, they were struggling to find enough nurses to do rounds. The revelation follows news a third elderly resident has died.
NSW
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Anglicare has admitted to residents of Newmarch House and their families that two days ago, it was struggling to find enough nurses to do their rounds.
The revelation follows the death of a third elderly resident at the beleaguered aged care home,
A woman, 92, who struggled with multiple health issues, died yesterday after contracting COVID-19. The cause of death is still to be formally determined.
Two men aged 93 and 94 have also died after contracting the disease at the Caddens facility.
In a letter dated April 20, Anglicare chief executive Grant Millard said the facility’s greatest challenge remained the supply of skilled registered nurses and carers experienced within Anglicare or in working with the frail aged.
“For this reason, we may not be able to make all our calls tomorrow,” the letter said.
“No stone is being left unturned in this endeavour drawing on the combined resources of government at all levels.”
Earlier communications from Anglicare showed Nepean Hospital staff had moved in to the facility to set up ‘Hospital in the Home’ under the direction of NSW Health.
Under the Hospital in the Home protocol, residents who were COVID-19 positive in Newmarch would be cared for in the home but with access to hospital resources and oversight by hospital specialists in infectious diseases, as if in the hospital setting, an April 18 letter from Mr Millard said.
“This will mean, if required, more intensive supports can be brought into the home under the direction of the hospital specialist,” he wrote.
“Anglicare is also sourcing more staff on site to ensure adequate coverage of care for all residents as well as recruiting some staff who are specifically dedicated to working with residents who have tested positive.”
To date 42 residents and staff have been infected, with Anglicare saying they are working round the clock to halt the spread of the disease.
AGED CARE DILEMMA
Aged care homes are among the most vulnerable in the pandemic, with federal and state leaders restricting residents to two visitors a day for short catch-ups with close relatives and support workers.
But there are concerns some facilities have gone further, not letting people out of their rooms even when they are not seeing visitors, to prevent outbreaks.
“There needs to be a strong reminder that the national cabinet decision was to not shut people off or to lock them away in their rooms,” Mr Morrison told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.
The issue has split Daily Telegraph readers asked in a poll if aged care residents should be allowed visitors during the pandemic, with 46 per cent voting no at the time of publishing.
WORKER ‘INCONSOLABLE’
Infections spread at Newmarch House after a care worker worked five shifts over six days while unknowingly infected.
She exhibited mild symptoms, of fatigue and a sore throat but put it down to juggling two jobs and home commitments.
The permanent part time carer, a mother from Western Sydney, was today said to be “deflated” at the news of a third death at the Anglicare home where 14 staff and 28 residents have been effected.
“She’s not good, we’re worried about her, she’s really upset by what‘s happened,” a source close to the woman said.
“She did everything possible as soon as she was told she had been in contact with someone outside the home with the virus.
“She went and got herself immediately checked. But she is still beating herself up.”
Anglicare said residents at Newmarch House were in isolation and staff were now wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).
There have been multiple claims of neglect from families of Newmarch House residents, including that one woman was left for hours after a fall before staff arrived.
Anglicare chief executive Grant Millard said he was “deeply sorry” for the effect the outbreak was having on residents but said it was “no one’s fault”.
“We are in the eye of a storm. Everyone is struggling to find staff for us, including the Commonwealth Government and eight agencies. On some days we struggle to have a full staff complement, and it’s no one’s fault,” he said in the statement released last night.
“We are deeply sorry for the effect that it has had on some of the people we look after and that they have had to wait for the care they deserve during this crisis. Under normal circumstances Newmarch has had an excellent reputation for the care of our residents.
“I must stress that in my opinion, there is no-one to blame for the situation aged care facilities, including Newmarch, are in. We are simply in a terrible situation.”
NSW RAMPS UP TESTING
NSW has had its smallest increase in COVID-19 infections yet with just five people diagnosed as the state ramps up its testing regime.
More people will be eligible to get tested for the deadly virus under new changes introduced by the government.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the government would soon expand testing across the state to include everyone who has concerning symptoms.
“We’ve nominated the hot spots where that testing should occur in our more proactive way,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We’re asking everybody in those hot spots to come forward.
“We’re also asking people who work with vulnerable communities or work in jobs where they’re in contact with a lot of people, even through social distancing, to come forward and get tested as well.”
The news comes as just five people tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours despite more than 4,200 people being tested.
Three deaths have also been confirmed, bringing the state’s death toll to 33.
NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said an 80-year-old woman infected with the virus passed away in Gosford Hospital, as did a 75-year-old man who was a known contact of a confirmed case.
The third death was a 92-year-old woman who was a resident of the Anglicare Newmarch House at Caddens in Sydney’s west.
BONDI BEACH TO REOPEN
Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach will re-open to the public next week.
It was only last month authorities closed the beach after thousands flaunted social distancing guidelines.
Waverley Council, which covers the affluent eastern suburbs, will re-open the beach from April 28 but under certain conditions.
Bondi will be open to the public but only on weekdays and only between the hours of 7am and 5pm.
Check out all the restrictions and full story here.
‘AN ANZAC DAY LIKE NO OTHER’
NSW residents are being told to pay their respects to our war heroes this Anzac Day by staying home and tuning into a televised service.
It will be an Anzac Day like no other with mass gatherings across the state cancelled, but people are being urged to find creative ways to honour the legacy of our Diggers at home.
A 5.30am Dawn Service will be broadcast nationally from Canberra and a separate ceremony will be televised from Hyde Park at 10am, when the NSW Government will lay a wreath on behalf of the state’s residents.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Saturday would take on a different meaning this year as people remember the ultimate sacrifice made by our veterans.
“We do encourage families to participate together, to use that time to watch the live stream service, but also to take the opportunity to reflect, to contemplate, to thank,” she said.
“And, more than ever, to put ourselves in the situation of those who have sacrificed for the freedom and liberty of all of us.”
NSW Veterans Affairs Minister Geoff Lee called on people to appreciate the significance of Anzac Day.
“This year it’s all about stay safe, stay home, celebrate or commemorate in some form whether watch roadcats, commemorate with family, maybe explain to kids the importance of our defence force and their role in paying the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.
The NSW Government is also encouraging people to post photos and videos on social media using the hashtag #ANZACspirit.
Some residents are already planning to hold candlelight vigils from their driveways at dawn to celebrate the legacy of our veterans.