Coronavirus NSW: Newmarch House announces 15th death

Another resident of Newmarch House in Sydney’s west has died, bringing the death toll at the coronavirus-stricken facility to 15 as Labor calls for the Aged Care Royal Commission to investigate the deadly "second wave” of infections.

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A 15th resident of the Newmarch House nursing home in Sydney’s west has died as Labor calls for the Aged Care Royal Commission to investigate the deadly “second wave” of infections at the facility.

The Opposition’s aged care spokeswoman Julie Collins said residents, their families, and the staff deserved answers about what had “gone wrong” as health officials confirmed a 15th resident died from COVID-19 on Monday.

A total of 63 people connected to Newmarch House have now tested positive for the coronavirus.

“The Royal Commission has the necessary investigative powers to get to the bottom of what has happened, with concerning reports of infection control failures at Newmarch House,” she said.

Labor MP Julie Collins. Picture: Matt Thompson

“While the Royal Commission is rightly looking at aged care and COVID-19 more generally, a deeper investigation into what happened at this facility is warranted.”

Ms Collins said Australians “must be assured” aged care homes had the “very best infection control practises”.

“Australia’s aged care system was broken before coronavirus and this is only putting extra stress on the system,” she said.

“We have seen the devastating impact of coronavirus outbreaks in aged care in Australia and across the globe.

“This is why an investigation from the Royal Commission is so important.”

Newmarch operator Anglicare announced the latest death in a statement today and said the man had no immediate family.

“On behalf of our resident, we grieve for his death and we value that he was part of our Anglicare family while we cared for them,” a statement from Anglicare said.

“His passing highlights how terrible this virus is and how devastating it is for the elderly in our community.

“The impact of COVID-19 on older people is increasingly evident in Australia and internationally and this is extremely distressing for other residents, their families and members of the wider community.”

NSW has recorded just one new coronavirus case in the past 24 hours after more than 5500 people submitted for tests, breaking the testing record for a Sunday.

The additional case has been confirmed by health authorities as mild COVID-19 infection in a seven-year-old child from Western Sydney.

Warragamba Public School has been closed as a result of the child’s infection.

NEWMARCH STRAIN SPREADING THROUGH PENRITH

The strain of coronavirus that has swept through the Newmarch house aged care home is the same as that spreading through Penrith, the Chief Health Officer has said.

Health authorities are investigating whether multiple people could have brought the disease into the retirement home.

“There was obviously the one worker that worked over that period unknowingly with very minimal symptoms for a period of time,” Dr Kerry Chant said.

“What we’re trying to look at is – was there any other introductions into that aged care facility at or about that time?”

Flowers left outside Newmarch House residential care in Caddens. Picture: Damian Shaw

“This strain is basically the strain that was in that sort of broader Penrith area,” she said.

NSW Health is trying to establish the earliest possible introduction of the virus.

Investigations into the outbreak are being finalised, but NSW Health is still waiting on results of important blood testing.

Workers at the aged care home are now being tested for COVID-19 daily, after secondary transmission in the facility.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard yesterday said he was confident that the government had thrown everything at the outbreak, despite the rising death toll at the facility.

More than 60 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been linked to aged care home.

CLEANING BLITZ FOR INFECT SCHOOL

A school in Sydney’s west has been forced to shut its doors after a student returned a positive COVID-19 test.

Warragamba Public School will be forced to close for face-to-face learning today as cleaners blitz through classrooms and authorities try to trace down contacts of an infected student.

The school announced this morning its students would have to stay home in coming days after a student tested positive for the deadly virus.

Warragamba Public School is shut after one of its students tests positive to coronavirus. Picture: Supplied

In a statement, the school said all students who had been in contact with the infected person would receive a phone call.

“Staff and students who are identified as a close contact will be contacted and advised they should self-isolate for the required period of time,” the statement read.

All students will be taught at home and parents can find learning materials on the department’s Learning from Home website.

MORE INFECTIONS IN SCHOOLS LIKELY

The NSW premier has issued a stark warning to parents as they prepare to send their children to school next week, warning students contracting COVID-19 could become the new norm.

Responding to news of the closure of Warragamba Primary School, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said more school-aged children were likely to contract the virus as they return to school on May 11.

“This is likely to occur on a more regular basis as schools go back but we’ve demonstrated the best practice for shutting down, doing deep clean and establishing contacts,” she said.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has given parents a warning. Picture: AAP

The warning comes as the premier announces that Year 12 students will have their classes expedited as they prepare to undertake their HSC.

“While most years have a day or two, the vast majority of high schools have catered for more classes for year 12,” Ms Berejiklian said.

Students are likely to return to face-to-face learning full time in coming weeks provided infection rates are managed, she said.

“If the first few weeks go well then we will consider bringing back full time face-to-face teaching in a quicker way than first anticipated.”

POLICE COME DOWN ON RULE BREAKERS

Just 22 people copped fines over the weekend for breaching lockdown laws as the government pulled back restrictions around visitations.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said the 22 people were hit with fines since Friday for doing the wrong thing as the government allowed two adults to visit people on a compassionate basis.

This compares to more than 100 tickets issued in the previous weekend, he said.

“Even though there was a relaxation the people of NSW are still working hard in taking this seriously,” Mr Fuller said.

Originally published as Coronavirus NSW: Newmarch House announces 15th death