Staff member at aged care facility tests positive to coronavirus

A staff member has tested positive to Covid-19 at a local aged care facility, sending it lockdown. FULL DETAILS >>

A staff member has tested positive to Covid-19 at a Hobart aged care facility.

Authorities are working with Mary Ogilvy House, New Town in light of the new positive case, a Department of Health spokesman has said.

“Identification of contacts and testing is being prioritised today,” the spokesman said.

“Public Health Services is working with the facility and providing advice regarding restrictions on visitors and movement of residents.

“Aged care facilities have been preparing for COVID-19 cases and have systems in place to manage situations such as this in collaboration with other agencies.”

Mary Ogilvy House at New Town.

Signage at the house confirms the facility has gone into lockdown, but the aged care provider has not commented to the Mercury about the situation.

Cleaning staff have been seen at the Pirie St home using a door with a sign that reads “sorry, we are closed. No visitors allowed due to lockdown”.

A woman has told the Mercury she is concerned for her family member, who is a resident at Mary Ogilvy House.

She said the home called her on Thursday to say a staff member had tested positive and she believed the New Town community care establishment was entering lockdown.

Government officials are believed to be attending the home later today.

The woman said her relative enjoyed living in Mary Ogilvy House, but she feared without regular family visits the resident would feel isolated and confused.

She worried her family member would still expect visitors and forget if the rules had changed.

“It’s a very confusing time for anyone let alone if you’ve got cognitive challenges,” she said.

“We’re told that staff wear masks but we don’t know if other strategies are in place.”

The heritage listed Mary Ogilvy House cares for 80 residents, described on its website as “a boutique facility providing the optimum personal care”.

Mary Ogilvy House has been contacted for comment.