Aged care Edithvale: Three dead, 70 infected as coronavirus cluster climbs
Three people have tragically died and a total of 70 people have been infected as an Edithvale aged care cluster climbs, while more infections have been uncovered at an aged care centre in Mentone, Mordialloc and Brighton.
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Three people have died and 70 people have been infected by coronavirus as an Edithvale aged care cluster climbs.
A total of 49 residents and 21 employees at Bupa Aged Care Edithvale have contracted the deadly disease since a contractor and employee were diagnosed on July 19.
Managing director Suzanne Dvorak said the deceased residents were believed to have suffered from pre-existing medical conditions.
There are currently 123 active cases in the City of Kingston.
“While we believe their pre-existing or unrelated conditions most likely contributed to their passing, we don’t look past the sadness of their passing at this time,” Ms Dvorak said in a statement online.
“These residents were transferred to hospital prior to their passing and they were COVID-19 positive.”
Most of the sick residents have been sent to hospital however some are being cared for in a dedicated coronavirus unit separate to their friends.
It is unknown where the first positive contractor — whose last shift was on July 16 — contracted the virus from.
The second employee to test positive was a close contact of a case not connected to the home.
All sick employees have been ordered not to return to work for at least two weeks.
“Notwithstanding our best efforts, the dreaded coronavirus has inserted itself in our care home … we have been working closely with both the Commonwealth and the Victorian government health departments, as we are in this battle together to eliminate this virus from our home and minimise its impact as best we can,” Ms Dvorak said.
“It has been a difficult few weeks for those that call Bupa Edithvale home. I acknowledge how tough it has been for our residents, for our team and for the relatives and friends who support our residents and team every day.
“Our thoughts go out to all of their families during this very difficult time … we have contacted their loved ones to send our condolences and will stay in contact with them to provide any assistance they may need.”
The outbreak comes after a Bupa Aged Care Sunshine employee was ordered to stay home after testing positive on July 15.
And at Regis Aged Care Brighton, seven residents have also sadly died with more than 60 people returning positive results.
All of the infected residents are being cared for in a dedicated wing.
brittany.goldsmith@news.com.au
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