Mater Hospital North Sydney: Covid outbreak grows to one death, 18 cases

A man has died after contracting Covid at a private hospital on Sydney’s north shore.

UPDATE:

A man has died after contracting Covid at a hospital on Sydney’s north shore.

The Waterloo man, aged in his early 80s, died at RPA Hospital on Wednesday evening after he was transferred from the Mater Hospital in North Sydney.

The fully vaccinated patient had underlying health issues and contracted Covid at the Mater following his admission to the hospital.

A Covid outbreak emerged at the Mater earlier this month with 14 cases confirmed as of September 22, forcing all elective surgery to be postponed.

The Mater is one of the north shore’s leading hospitals.

The total number of cases linked to the hospital has grown to 18 including six patients, one carer and 11 staff members.

A Mater spokesman said case numbers have stabilised and no further cases have been detected in the last week.

There has also been no exposure to the hospital’s maternity wards or the Patricia Ritchie Cancer Centre which have continued to function.

Elective surgery will recommence next Tuesday.

EARLIER, ON SEPTEMBER 20,2021

A Covid outbreak at a north shore private hospital has grown to 14 cases, forcing all elective surgery to be postponed for at least one week.

The Mater Hospital has confirmed eight staff members, five patients and one carer have tested positive for Covid after an outbreak emerged at the North Sydney campus over the weekend.

The private hospital has been supporting the state’s public health system during the current outbreak and it is understood some of the positive cases have been linked with transfers from public hospitals.

The Mater Hospital on Rocklands Road.

The total number of cases increased from 11 to 14 overnight on Wednesday.

“Immediately after becoming aware of these cases, The Mater commenced testing of patients and staff who may have been exposed to Covid-19,” a Mater spokesman said in a statement.

“All of our Covid positive staff cases are now in isolation and are being supported by The Mater.

“The Mater is identifying contacts of these patients and staff and has sought advice from Northern Sydney Local Health District to ensure the health and safety of all patients and staff is maintained.

“Contacts are undergoing testing and isolation, in line with public health advice.”

In response to the outbreak, all elective surgeries have been postponed for at least one week until the outbreak is brought under control.

Under current guidelines, the decision to proceed with elective surgery is assessed on a case-by-case basis weighed up on criteria including the condition of a patient, availability of personal protective equipment and hospital ICU and bed capacity.

The Mater spokesman said key areas of the health campus with no cases are still operational including the Patricia Ritchie Centre for Cancer Care & Research.

He said strict protocols were in place in areas of the hospital with confirmed cases.

“All staff currently undertaking duties in the affected areas are wearing additional PPE to ensure the safety of patients and staff,” he said.

“Cleaning and enhanced infection control measures are also in place.”