BaptistCare’s Dorothy Henderson Lodge now free of COVID-19 – nine weeks after first case

Good news.

NSW Health declared that the coronavirus outbreak at the aged care home in Sydney’s Macquarie Park – which led to the deaths of six residents – officially over on Thursday – 65 days after the first case was diagnosed on 3 March when there were only 41 COVID-19 cases in Australia.

18 people were eventually infected – 13 residents and five staff.

“This marks the end of a significant and sustained effort by the BaptistCare team, and especially our frontline staff who went above and beyond. We remain vigilant in our aged care homes across NSW and ACT as the virus remains active in the community,” CEO Ross Low said.

“We are grateful to be able to share this good news with our residents and their families and we hope they take comfort in the knowledge that we have done everything that we could to protect those people in our care.”

“The tragic loss of six residents to this deadly virus will never be forgotten,” he added. “These residents were a much-loved part of our Dorothy Henderson Lodge family and we will continue to feel their loss, with their families.”

“This has been one of the most challenging experiences in our 75-year history. We are very grateful for the expert assistance and guidance from NSW Health, The Department of Health, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, and other government authorities over the course of the outbreak. We are also thankful for the ongoing support of our residents and families throughout this difficult time.”