Dorothy Henderson Lodge: COVID-19 home back in lockdown
EXCLUSIVE: Dorothy Henderson Lodge is again under lockdown almost three weeks after it was given the all clear from the state’s health authorities. A fax sent to surgeries and medical centres reveals eight residents have been tested for coronavirus after a ‘suspected respiratory outbreak.’
Northern District Times
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The aged care facility that was the initial epicentre of the COVID-19 outbreak in Australia is back under lockdown after several patients came down with respiratory symptoms.
Public Health this week called for Dorothy Henderson Lodge in Macquarie Park to close its doors to visitors and families - just three weeks after it was given the all clear from the state’s health authorities.
Surgeries and medical centres in the area recently received a fax from BaptistCare, which runs the aged care facility, stating that it was under lockdown after eight patients had “respiratory symptoms.”
The fax which has been seen by The Northern District Times states there was a “suspected respiratory outbreak” at Dorothy Henderson Lodge.
“Eight residents at DHL have respiratory symptoms,” according to the fax which was dated May 26.
“Public Health have advised us to close down the facility.”
It also stated that eight residents have been tested for COVID-19 and six have come back negative.
The results for two residents are yet to be determined.
Doctors can still visit patients yet they must follow strict PPE requirements.
A North Sydney Local Health District spokesman confirmed the NSLHD Public Health Unit was notified of several residents with flu-like symptoms on Tuesday.
“On Tuesday 26 May, the NSLHD Public Health Unit was notified by Dorothy Henderson Lodge of several residents experiencing influenza-like symptoms including dry cough and runny nose,” the spokesman said.
“As a precaution, symptomatic residents were tested for COVID-19 with all results to date returning as negative.”
It is understood two results were still pending on Friday afternoon.
The Public Health Unit also advised the facility to implement infection control measures.
“The district will continue to work with Dorothy Henderson Lodge, offering necessary support to staff and residents.”
A BaptistCare spokesman said results for the six residents who had “mild respiratory symptoms” were tested for COVID-19 and general viruses which returned negative results.
She said the home was placed under “precautionary closure” and standard infection procedures had been activated.
“We have worked with the Public Health Unit, NSW Health and Infection Control Specialists to ensure every precaution is taken for the safety and wellbeing of our residents and employees.”
It comes almost three weeks after NSW Health told BaptistCare, that Dorothy Henderson Lodge was free of the virus.
The aged care facility was at the centre of Sydney’s first COVID-19 cluster from early March which saw the death of six residents and a total of 21 cases; 16 residents and five staff members.