More Covid-19 deaths in hospital as NSW outbreak surges
The number of Covid-19 deaths linked to a hospital outbreak in Sydney has risen to six, with the latest victim an unvaccinated elderly man.
The number of Covid-19 deaths linked to a hospital outbreak in Sydney has risen to six, as the locally acquired infections in New South Wales continue to surge.
NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant said there was an 80-year-old man from southwestern Sydney who acquired the infection as part of an outbreak at Liverpool Hospital.
“He tested positive on July 29 and he was not vaccinated,” she told reporters on Tuesday.
“As part of that Liverpool Hospital outbreak, we had seven staff, a student nurse and 29 patients impacted.
“There have now been six deaths associated with this outbreak.”
Dr Chant said NSW Health and the staff at Liverpool Hospital extended their sincere sympathies to the families and friends of the patients who had died.
“The death of any patient is felt deeply by the healthcare professionals who care for them and a situation like this is tragic for everyone,” she said.
“The exposures occurred on a geriatric and neurology ward and these patients were receiving the best possible care, but sadly many are older and have health conditions which leave them very vulnerable to the harmful effects of Covid.”
Dr Chant said staff at Liverpool Hospital were providing care and support for patients in extremely difficult circumstances.
“The hospital is one of the busiest in the state and continues to take every measure to keep the patients and staff safe during the current outbreak, while continuing to provide high-quality care to the community,” she said.
Dr Chant said there were also three other deaths in NSW overnight.
A woman aged in her 80s from southwestern Sydney died at Liverpool Hospital after testing positive on August 4.
“Her infection was not related to the Liverpool Hospital outbreak. She was not vaccinated,” Dr Chant said.
A man aged in his 70s, from western Sydney, died at Nepean Hospital after testing positive on July 7 and he too was not vaccinated.
An unvaccinated man aged in his 80s from northern NSW died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital after acquiring the infection overseas and is also not linked to the current outbreak.
Tuesday’s deaths bring the number of coronavirus-related deaths to 32 during the current outbreak, and the total since the pandemic began to 89.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she extended her “deepest, heartfelt condolences” to all the loved ones of the patients who had died.
NSW recorded 356 locally acquired cases of Covid-19 in the 24 hrs to 8pm on Monday, plus four infections from overseas.
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