Residents, staff isolating after positive case

ALMOST two dozen residents at Montefiore’s Hunters Hill campus remain in isolation this week, and have returned negative tests for COVID, after a cleaning contractor tested positive for the virus.

The contractor – who returned a positive result on Thursday, August 26 following a routine surveillance test – was asymptomatic, previously had one dose of a COVID vaccine, and followed all precautions including mask-wearing while onsite.

All residents and staff of the care unit in which the cleaner worked “have returned initial negative test results, though they will remain in isolation for 14 days and undergo further testing as per requirements”, Montefiore said in a statement.

The AJN understands all residents returned negative results on their second test.

The 23 residents in isolation are being cared for by staff in appropriate PPE, and all staff directed to isolate are offsite.

“We understand how concerning this situation is for our residents, their loved ones and staff,” said Montefiore CEO Robert Orie.

“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.”

He added, “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 Hunters Hill campus is currently closed to contractors, companions and approved visitors.

Increased 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”.

Staff are restricted to working at one Montefiore site only.