Unanderra aged care centre on lockdown after four flu deaths

Unanderra’s Marco Polo Aged Care Home was forced into lockdown over the June long weekend, after several residents and staff members contracted the flu.

Unanderra’s Marco Polo Aged Care Home has been forced into lock down after three died after contracting influenza. Picture: Supplied

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An Illawarra nursing home has been forced into lockdown, after influenza outbreak has left four elderly people dead.

Unanderra’s Marco Polo Aged Care Home was forced into isolation over the June long weekend, after several residents and staff members contracted the deadly flu.

NSW Health has confirmed the deaths, saying four residents have passed away during the outbreak, all very elderly with underlying health problems.

Marco Polo manager Robert O’Shea said three of the four residents had sadly passed away in hospital after being admitted for flu-like symptoms.

“No residents have passed away at our facility directly related to the flu outbreak,” he said.

“Three have passed away in hospital, admitted for flu like symptoms but their diagnosis post passing away has not been confirmed to us as yet.”

An elderly sick woman blows her nose outdoors. Picture: Generic

Centre management said 15 residents had come down with the virus in the past three weeks, all of which have been isolated in one building to prevent any further spread.

About 20 staff have also been affected during the outbreak, but Mr O’Shea said fortunately this has had “minimal impact” on staffing levels.

“We are not allowed to admit residents during an outbreak [so] we have 12 empty beds,” he said.

“This means we have a ratio of four residents per staff member so the impact has been minimal.”

The outbreak is being managed by the Public Health Unit, who step in once any three cases of an illness are reported at an aged care facility.

While the lockdown is expected to be lifted by Friday, families of residents at Marco Polo have been asked not to visit the facility in order to prevent any further outbreaks.

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According to the latest Influenza Surveillance Report, the number of confirmed cases of influenza across the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District has increased in recent weeks.

There were 106 confirmed cases of influenza in the district from June 17 to 23 — an increase from 95 the previous week and 73 the week before that.

NSW Health Director of Communicable Disease, Dr Vicky Sheppeard said in the year to date there have been 87 confirmed influenza outbreaks in aged-care facilities, 12 of which were reported just last week.

“The elderly are highly vulnerable to influenza and the flu jab is critical to reducing the risk of visitors catching the virus and bringing it into aged-care homes,” Dr Sheppeard said.

“If you are unwell with the flu, stay at home and minimise contact with other people if possible, especially those who are particularly vulnerable, such as the elder​ly until you have recovered.”