Coronavirus Yarra Ranges: Mercy Place Montrose COVID case
Another nursing home in the Yarra Ranges has been locked down after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus. This comes as COVID numbers at a Kilsyth home have skyrocketed.
Outer East
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A Montrose nursing home is the latest retirement village to be linked to a case of coronavirus.
On Sunday, July 26, Mercy Place Montrose service manager Bronwyn Gilmore confirmed on the home’s website a staff member tested positive for the deadly virus.
But according to a Victorian Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman, the person was not at the home while they were infected.
The spokeswoman said the department was aware of one case linked to Mercy Place in Montrose.
“However, the individual did not attend the facility while infectious and has a clear link to a separate known outbreak,” she said.
“Testing is occurring on site as a precautionary measure only at this stage.”
This comes as cases at Kilsyth’s Kirkbrae Presbytarian Homes soared to 76 and residents were evacuated on Tuesday.
Across the state cases of coronavirus increased overnight by 384, which brings the state total to 4774 active cases — 414 of which are health workers.
In her message to the Mercy Place Montrose community Ms Gilmore said the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, and the Commonwealth Department of Health had both been contacted.
“ … we are undertaking contact tracing as a matter of urgency to determine who, if anyone, may be at risk,” she said.
“These actions provide the best approach to minimising the risk of further transmission.”
Ms Gilmore asked that no family or friends visit the home while contract tracing was being done.
“We may be able to make an exception if there are extraordinary circumstances on compassionate grounds, as determined on a case-by-case basis,” she said.
She said all staff would be wearing full personal protective equipment and a deep clean of the home would be done.
“We appreciate this advice may be alarming,” Ms Gilmore said.
“Please be assured we are doing everything to ensure the safety of your loved ones, staff and the community.”
“We will contact you directly if there is any immediate need for concern and I will be back in touch via email as soon as I have further information.”
The DHHS has been contacted for comment.
More to come.
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