Blacktown City coronavirus: New confirmed case at Quakers Hill Nursing Home
The Blacktown region has at least two confirmed cases of COVID-19, after a resident at a nursing home tested positive to the virus. The latest case comes as Blacktown Council shuts down pools, gyms and libraries.
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- Coronavirus: Plumpton Medical Centre patient tests positive
- Coronavirus: Blacktown Council events cancelled, postponed
There are at least two cases of coronavirus in Blacktown City after a resident at a nursing home in Quakers Hill tested positive to the virus.
NSW Health today confirmed a resident had contracted the deadly virus at the Opal Aged Care’s Quakers Hill Nursing Home on Hambledon Rd.
The resident, whose age and gender are not yet known, is one of 136 new confirmed cases across the state since 8pm on March 21.
The patient is currently at Westmead Hospital, with health authorities tracing known contacts.
The total number of confirmed cases in NSW now sits at 669.
An Opal Aged Care spokesperson the resident tested positive to the virus on Sunday afternoon and lockdown procedures were put in place immediately after the diagnosis.
“Nine residents were placed in isolation for precautionary purposes immediately on notification of the diagnosis,” the spokesperson said.
“Active screening is in place in the care home including temperature checks for all team entering the home.
“We are working closely with NSW Health on contact tracing. All possible relevant individuals are being contacted.”
The facility said it had restricted visitors from entering the home since last Wednesday.
It is the second confirmed case of the virus in Blacktown City, after a patient who attended a medical centre in Plumpton tested positive on March 5.
The patient attended the Plumpton Medical Centre at Plumpton Marketplace and was directed to go home and self-isolate.
COUNCIL SHUTS DOWN SERVICES
On Monday, Blacktown Council announced it would be completely shutting its swimming pools, including lap pools, gyms and libraries to help combat the spread of the virus.
Blacktown Mayor Tony said the additional measures would come into force today as the council ramps up it’s COVID-19 response.
“In addition to the current closures, all Blacktown City Library branches and services will now be closed to the public,” Mayor Bleasdale said.
“Swimming pools and indoor courts at Council’s five leisure and swimming centres will also be closing, including the lap pools, and tennis courts.
Only the Athletics track at the Blacktown International Sportspark will stay open for individual training.
“Our council-operated childcare centres will continue to operate, as long as NSW
Government schools remain open.”
The centres closing due to the outbreak include: Blacktown Aquatic Centre, Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope, Mt Druitt Swimming Centre, Riverstone Swimming Centre and Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre Emerton.
Blacktown City’s Max Webber Library, Dennis Johnson Library, The Mount Druitt Hub, Lalor Park Library and Riverstone Library will all close indefinitely.
Residents however can still access the council’s Home Library service, which will continue to operate. Library users can access online resources including eBooks and eMagazines as part of their library membership.
Full details on Blacktown Council closures and event cancellations can be found here.