Central Coast coronavirus: Gosford Hospital has 12 new confirmed cases
The Gosford Hospital ward with 12 COVID-19 cases has now become a dedicated low risk unit for the virus.
Central Coast
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The Gosford Hospital inpatient ward linked to 12 coronavirus cases has become a dedicated low risk virus unit.
Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) has confirmed the “12 linked COVID-19 cases” and stated Gosford Hospital remained open.
Earlier today NSW Health reported the new cases closed down a ward yesterday with staff, patients and close contacts diagnosed with COVID-19.
A CCLHD spokeswoman said clinical cleaning was carried out on the unit which had now become a dedicated unit for any low-risk COVID-19 cases.
“There is no impact to services and no cause for concern for our patients and staff,” she said.
“Six healthcare workers from a Gosford Hospital inpatient unit tested positive to COVID-19. All are in self-isolation at home. All close contacts of these confirmed cases (including healthcare workers and patients) have been identified and isolated.
“Two of these patients already in the hospital tested positive to COVID-19 and remain in isolation in the hospital and recovering well, with their close contacts identified.
“As part of this contact tracing an additional four family member confirmed cases were identified and isolated.”
She said CCLHD had strict tracing and screening procedures for confirmed COVID-19 healthcare worker cases and their contacts
“CCLHD investigates these cases closely in order to reduce the risk of transmission within our healthcare setting. Staff health screening is carried out on all healthcare workers at the start of each shift.”
Central Coast cases have climbed to 121, with almost one half of those recovered.
“The majority of these cases acquired the infection from overseas exposure,” the CCLHD spokeswoman said.
“59 cases have recovered. All other confirmed cases and their close contacts are in isolation, including two in hospital.”
The latest jump in numbers comes after the coast’s first childcare case was reported this week.
A 3-year-old from Woodport Early Learning Centre was diagnosed with COVID-19.
At this stage, no other cases have been reported at the centre with the child not having attended since mid-March.
Kincumber High School has also avoided any more COVID-19 cases after a student tested positive, forcing the school to close for a day on April 1.
A majority of the coast’s cases have emerged in the Gosford postcode area, with numbers in the 2250 postcode now at 35.
Some of the cases are believed to have come from the Stanwell Tops wedding, along with the Ruby Princess cruise which is currently under investigation.
The Central Coast recorded it’s first case on March 13.