‘This is imprisonment’: Blacktown apartments in lockdown after COVID outbreak

A Blacktown social housing complex has been forced into lockdown after six residents across three households tested positive to COVID-19.

The unit block, owned by community housing provider Evolve Housing, is under police guard and all residents have been tested.

Police arrived at the block of 50 units overnight Tuesday following a request from health authorities that all residents isolate for 14 days.

A number of residents, including two young children, were pictured being medically transferred from the complex on Tuesday morning.

Some residents who spoke to the Herald on Tuesday morning had returned negative tests while others were still awaiting results. Resident Thayaparan Sivagnanasundaram was told on Monday one person had tested positive but more cases have since emerged.

He lives in a two-bedroom apartment with his wife and three children. The entire family have returned negative test results.

Thayaparan Sivagnanasundaram’s Blacktown apartment complex is in lockdown.

“It is hard and stressful but of course we have to do it and follow the rules,” he said.

“Yesterday they came and we got tested. This morning I got the results and my whole family are negative.

“The children are happy but asking if they can go out to the playground but I explained to them what’s going on.”

Mr Sivagnanasundaram, who now cannot work, said the family will have to be tested again on August 2 and 7.

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said tenants had received limited information from authorities about the situation.

The man, who works as a nurse and is fully vaccinated, said he was angry at the state and federal governments for failing to get the outbreak under control and vaccinations administered.

“I think this government is in shambles, they need to be voted out because they don’t know what they’re doing. They don’t seem to care about people,” he said.

“If the politicians had their heads in the right places they wouldn’t be playing with our lives and livelihoods.

“This is imprisonment.”

The resident said he called NSW Health to see if there were any exceptions for healthcare workers but could not get hold of anyone.

The social housing complex is home to more than 100 residents including elderly, disabled and non-English speaking tenants.

Evolve Housing CEO Lyall Gorman said many were shocked and still coming to terms with the situation.

“We’re on site at the moment and we’ll maintain daily contact to ensure we can do anything possible to look after their wellbeing,” he said.

“If someone knocked on your door and said we’re locking up your house for two weeks you can understand the shock of that.

“It’s a little bit surreal for them at the moment but very quickly the reality will set in.

“Our concern is making sure we identify every unique need we can and making sure we address it as quickly and best we can.”

Mr Gorman said that involved ensuring medical prescriptions were filled, organising food, looking after pets and removing rubbish.

In a statement, Western Sydney Local Health District said six people across three households in the block had tested positive.

“Western Sydney Local Health District have worked with the residents and building management to assess the situation and, in collaboration with other agencies, are implementing measures to address infection control and the health and welfare of residents,” it read.

The statement said all residents of the complex were determined to be close contacts, with NSW Police and private security patrolling the building.

“Food and other services, including daily welfare checks, will be provided to residents safely during their 14-day quarantine period. Tailored support services will be provided to all isolated residents as needed,” it said.

“This situation reinforces the need for everyone to wear a face mask in shared foyer or lobby areas, lifts, stairwells and corridors, and shared laundry facilities of apartment complexes.

“This advice applies to everyone, including residents, visitors, building managers, contractors, delivery drivers and cleaners.”

Blacktown, in the west of Sydney, is one of five local government areas of concern where non-essential workers are banned from leaving the locality for work. There are 93 confirmed cases in the LGA.

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