Kiama MP Gareth Ward tests positive for Covid-19
Kiama MP Gareth Ward has tested positive for Covid, thanking his community for dropping off food, chocolate and cards at his door, and saying he was stunned ‘so many people know where I live’.
Illawarra Star
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Kiama state Independent MP Gareth Ward has revealed he has caught Covid-19, while blasting the NSW government’s “incompetent error” that left him unable to get a PCR test.
After experiencing a dry cough and a slight headache on Tuesday, Mr Ward took a rapid antigen test which indicated he had contracted the virus.
The news comes as the state recorded 34,994 cases and six deaths on Thursday, including a young man from the ACT who died at St Vicent’s Hospital in Darlinghurst.
“I feel like I‘ve been dragged bum-first through a hedge,” the former Liberal MP said.
“I’ve had cold sweats and runny eyes. It started yesterday (Tuesday) and it’s certainly gotten worse. I have got some significant enemies, but I wouldn’t wish this on any of them.
“My mum, who is a three-time cancer survivor had one (rapid antigen test) and she dropped it at the front doorstep.”
While the government on Thursday ruled a PCR test was no longer necessary after a positive RAT result, on Wednesday Mr Ward followed the then NSW Health guidelines and sought a PCR test at his local Covid clinic in Bomaderry, which was advertised as being open between 8am and 4pm.
Not wanting to potentially infect someone, Mr Ward, who is legally blind and unable to drive, rode from his home to the Cambewarra Rd facility on his bike.
To his astonishment, he was informed it had shut for the day.
“What annoyed me is that I was following the advice,” Mr Ward explained.
“When I arrived I was told it had closed at 1pm, ironically I was told by traffic management who were sitting there – why you would need those (when the clinic is closed) is beyond me.
“Most people can appreciate there will be things that go awry, but when the simple things and basic messaging is wrong it doesn’t inspire confidence. I have heard that from people in the community and now having been through it, I am feeling the same way.
“When you’re not feeling well, it’s not a great experience (trying to get to get a PCR test).
“That’s especially so for the elderly or those needing to make their own arrangement to get there, so this fuels anger and frustration.
“We don’t expect things to be perfect but we expect the basics to get done right.
“One of the features of this pandemic is the discombobulation when it comes to the rules.
“This feeds frustration. The constant changes leave people with no certainty. People want to do the right thing, but it’s hard when the government keeps changing its mind.”
The former minister for families, communities and disability services labelled his experience “totally unacceptable and downright incompetent”, and he called for an explanation from Health Minister Brad Hazzard.
“Brad is an excellent health minister who works hard and no one would want his job during a global pandemic,” Mr Ward said.
“But he needs to continue to listen to the policy experts and encourage people in leadership positions such as the Prime Minister (Scott Morrison) and Premier (Dominic Perrottet) to listen to the expects on the front line – the GPs and pharmacists.
“The government is a bit punch drunk at the moment. They are not deliberately making mistakes, but there is a level of unreasonable errors being made which is fuelling frustrations in the community.
“Leadership is not just about releasing press releases, it’s about charting the course. You can understand why people are angry, frustrated and feeling like we’ve been let down.”
However, he said the response from people in the community had been amazing.
“I’ve had people drop food, chocolate and cards at my front door, and my office has received a number of kind messages. I am stunned that so many people know where I live, but it’s incredible, I’m in a really good electorate,” he said.
Mr Ward said NSW, which recorded an all-time high of 34,994 cases on Thursday, was in the middle of a perfect storm, reaffirming how basic errors needed to be addressed to progress to the new normal.
“The Doherty Institute is anticipating 200,000 cases a day and we are not at that point yet, but from my point of view, cases is one thing, but what tells the real tale is people on ventilators and in ICU as a result of Covid.
“You can imagine how frontline health staff are feeling. They’re burnt out and at this time of year they are taking holidays.
“The system is under strain, there’s a virulent virus running rife and the view is we need to return to normal life as soon as we can, but basics like Covid clinic opening times are not being done right.”
The Kiama MP also announced on Facebook that he had written to Mr Hazzard demanding the limited availability of rapid antigen tests be addressed.
Mr Ward is continuing his work online, with all his face-to-face meetings converted to Zoom meetings.
A spokesperson for the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District said private clinics are responsible for operating hours and given the pressure the system is under, these times are subject to change.
“Our Chief Executive Margot Mains has spoken directly to the Member for Kiama Gareth Ward about his comments,” the spokesperson said.
“Private pathology providers have supported the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District in undertaking COVID-19 testing for the past two years. They are responsible for their operating hours and the availability and capacity of their teams, who like our staff, are under incredible pressure at this time.
“We would like to thank our colleagues in the private sector and our local community for their ongoing support of all the health teams who continue to work so hard, as they have done for the past two years during this pandemic, to keep our community safe and informed with the most up-to-date information.
“Testing capacity in NSW continues to be under enormous pressure and testing clinic opening days and times are subject to change, often at very short notice, as we have seen many times across the state.”
Mr Hazzard’s office, the office of Premier Dominic Perrottet have been contacted for comment.
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