A COVID-19 outbreak has emerged at an aged care home in Penrith.
Four residents at the Uniting Edinglassie Lodge Residential Aged Care home in Penrith have tested positive to the virus.
The test results came from daily testing established in the home following a positive test result last Wednesday evening from an asymptomatic contract cleaner who was undertaking routine 72-hour testing.
“Following the cleaner’s positive test result, Edinglassie activated its outbreak management plan which includes all employees wearing full PPE and daily testing of both employees and residents,” a Uniting spokesperson said.
“Uniting is meeting daily with both the NSW Public Health Unit and the Commonwealth Outbreak Management Team to ensure effective management of the outbreak.
“Efforts are being made to transfer all positive residents to hospital, in consultation with the PHU and in line with family wishes. One has already been transferred to hospital. We believe this is best for them and the Edinglassie community.”
At this stage, no other residents or employees have tested positive. All are being tested daily.
“Uniting NSW/ACT has advised employees, residents and families and will continue to work closely with them and the NSW Public Health Unit to promote the safety and wellbeing of all residents through ongoing deep cleaning of the service, daily testing and monitoring symptoms,” the spokesperson said.
Our preparation for an outbreak includes strongly promoting vaccinations. In Uniting Edinglassie Lodge Penrith over 90 per cent of residents and employees have received their COVID-19 vaccination, with the majority double vaccinated.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the residents and our contract cleaner as they recover from COVID-19.”
Emily Feszczuk
A graduate of Western Sydney University, Emily covers Local, State and Federal politics for the Weekender, as well as crime and general news.