New warning to be watchful for these coronavirus symptoms
Health authorities are pleading with Australians to be particularly mindful of any slight changes in their health after an aged care worker unknowingly worked six days straight while infectious with COVID-19.
The worker at Anglicare's Newmarch House aged care facility in Caddens, in western Sydney, continued going to work while experiencing mild respiratory symptoms, including a sore throat.
The worker later tested positive for COVID-19, and so too did five more staff members and four residents at the facility.
“This person is absolutely mortified,” NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant told reporters on Wednesday.
“I would urge people to remember that the symptoms of COVID-19 can be incredibly mild and the key point is 'do not go to work'.
“I would particularly urge (that) if you work is associated with providing care to the elderly, the aged and disability ... to have that incredibly high awareness of even minor changes in your health.”
The health worker is “incredibly distraught” about the circumstances, Dr Chant said.
Mild COVID-19 symptoms to watch out for
Runny nose
Sore throat
Scratchy throat
Any changes to health
‘We’re not sure why she came to work’
While Dr Chant said the woman “worked whilst she had very mild symptoms”, Anglicare Sydney chief executive Grant Millard on Wednesday said she did not display any symptoms during her last shift at the facility.
“Nothing was disclosed to us when she was last seen on April 6th, she did not display any symptoms,” Mr Millard told ABC TV.
The woman was seen by a residential manager at the time, he said.
“They displayed no symptoms, at that time they requested some time off work. We're not sure why they did that,” Mr Millard said.
Anglicare on Sunday traced all workers in Newmarch House, including anyone who'd had contact with those infected at the home.
Some 40 staff at the facility have been stood down to self-isolate at home, Mr Millard said.
Approximately 100 residents - who have an average age of 85 - are isolating in their own rooms.
They are being tended to by staff wearing protective equipment.
“We brought in extra physios, extra staff in order to deal with this very challenging situation - it's very, very tough,” Mr Millard said.
“People are rightfully upset. We're very concerned, but the critical issue at this stage is to ensure that we have the testing results for everyone in the home who has been tested yesterday.”
Some family members of those in the aged care home are “very distressed by this”, Mr Millard said.
‘Was there reckless intent?’ Police to visit home
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller on Wednesday said officers would visit the home for the sake of transparency.
“The key question is, was there reckless intent? And my understanding is that there wasn't,” Mr Fuller told reporters in Sydney.
“We'll ask those questions to management ... all the information I've been provided is that there was no malice at all.”
If police thought there was reckless behaviour on the part of Anglicare then it would be reported, Mr Fuller said.
“That may not be criminal but may open up other agencies for oversight,” he said.
The woman also worked two shifts at Greystanes Disability Services in Leura.
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