Bankstown 2200: Coronavirus claims second life of Opal Care Bankstown resident
An elderly man has become the second resident from Opal Care Bankstown to die from coronavirus. It comes as a western Sydney mayor urged residents to remain vigilant after a rise in cases.
The Express
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A 90-year-old man has become the second resident from Opal Care Bankstown aged care facility in Sydney’s southwest to die from COVID-19.
On Monday, health authorities confirmed an 86-year-old man, who was also a resident of the facility and had tested positive for the infection, died in Liverpool Hospital.
Five cases have been reported at the facility since March 22 — the two male residents and three staff members.
Opal Care Bankstown released a statement on Tuesday expressing sadness at the passing of the two residents.
“We are greatly saddened that both our residents who had been receiving care at Liverpool Hospital for the past fortnight, have now passed away as a result of COVID-19. They will be dearly missed,” it said.
“The deepest sympathies of our whole Opal team, and particularly our devoted frontline nurses and carers, are with their families at this challenging time.
“Our team strives to give the care, comfort and human connection that lies at the heart of human well-being, and it is heart-rending when people we have grown close to pass away.”
The facility paid tribute to health workers, thanking the “dedicated team” at Liverpool Hospital for their care, as well as staff at the Bankstown home.
It also confirmed two of the three staff members with COVID-19 tested positive in March, while the third was confirmed on Saturday evening.
“All three are self-isolating at home under medical care. We are working with the Public Health Unit on contact tracing.
“No residents nor any other team member in the care home have COVID-19.”
There were 137 confirmed cases of the disease in southwest Sydney as of 8pm on Sunday.
Four new infections were recorded since the last 24-hour period, with one new case in Canterbury-Bankstown, taking the area’s total to 82, and three cases in Fairfield, bringing its tally to 21.
Liverpool remained stable with 34 cases.
Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone has urged residents to remain vigilant.
“While we have one of the lowest compared to other LGAs and the number is low, this has been our biggest increase,” he posted on Facebook.
“This is not a time to be complacent and we need to continue to eradicate it by adhering to current controls including social distancing.”