Monte Hunters Hill COVID scare
All twenty-three residents in a separate care unit at the Montefiore Residential Care Hunters Hill have tested negative to COVID-19 following a positive test on a cleaner who had been working in the home last week.
Montefiore Hunter’s Hill
The cleaning contractor’s result followed a routine surveillance test.
In a statement, Montefiore said: “The contractor was asymptomatic, has had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and followed all precautions including mask-wearing while onsite.
Management is pleased to report that the 23 residents of this care unit considered to be close contacts by NSW Health have all returned a negative result on their first and second round of tests, though they will remain in isolation for 14 days and undergo further testing as per requirements. They are being cared for by dedicated staff in appropriate PPE.
Staff close contacts who are in isolation at home have all tested negative initially and will be tested again at the end of their 14-day isolation period as per NSW Health requirements.
CEO Robert Orie added: “We understand how concerning this situation is for our residents, their loved ones and staff. Montefiore has spent the past 18 months preparing for a potential COVID-19 case in one of our Residential Care facilities. We implemented our emergency plan swiftly to ensure we can continue to offer the best care to residents while taking every precaution to prevent further spread. We are grateful that the vast majority of our staff and residents, including those at Hunters Hill, have been fully vaccinated. We wish the affected contractor all the best for a speedy recovery, and hope that close contact residents and staff remain healthy through the remainder of their isolation period.”
The statement concuded: “The Hunters Hill campus is currently closed to contractors, companions and approved visitors under NSW Public Health Unit guidance, and staff are restricted to working at one Montefiore site only. Increased COVID-19 PPE protocols and deep cleaning have been implemented, and staffing plans are in place to ensure all residents continue to receive the care and support they need.”
