NSW Health investigating latest positive cases at Newmarch House

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has confirmed the health authorities are investigating how the two staff members who tested positive this week were infected. As we reported here, one of the staff members had been in self-isolation, while the other had been working in the home but wearing full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

“The concern there is how that healthcare worker acquired it and whether there was any lapse in infection control that would have accounted for that,” Dr Chant said. “These are the usual ways we investigate outbreaks or cases particularly in aged care workers or healthcare workers.”

Anglicare has also flagged that they are investigating how three more residents were diagnosed with the virus on Thursday despite the strict procedures and infection controls in place at the home. The operator says the new cases may reflect “historical transmissions” and demonstrate the rigorous and ongoing testing at the home.

“We will be investigating further how this has occurred,” they said.