THE death toll from a COVID-19 outbreak at the Bupa Edithvale nursing home has reached 17.
Figures released by the Department of Health last week showed that 17 residents at the Edithvale home had died after testing positive to COVID-19. A total of 44 residents and 32 staff at the site had tested positive for the virus as of 11 September.
Of the 44 cases among residents, 25 were considered resolved. All cases in staff were listed as resolved.
In a statement released earlier his month, Bupa said that the alert level at their home has been lowered to “active surveillance”. This meant that residents could begin taking part in group activities again.
“Bupa Edithvale received welcome news from the Department of Health yesterday [3 September], advising that the care home has now been de-escalated to the active surveillance stage,” the statement read. “This means residents can now move more freely around the home and take part in group recreational activities.
“The team continues to monitor residents’ health closely and remains diligent in their use of personal protective equipment. We thank our employees, residents and their loved ones for their unwavering support and patience throughout the outbreak.”
The first cases in Bupa Edithvale employees were made public on 19 July. After the positive tests were returned, Bupa activated its outbreak management plan. A dedicated COVID-19 care unit was set up, with five separate isolated zones within the home established. A registered nurse, personal carers, and a cleaner was assigned to each zone (“Virus cluster turns fatal”, The News, 12/8/20).
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 16 September 2020